A SERIAL thief has been ordered to repay every item she stole from a shop… at a cost of almost £1,000.

Chloe Sadler-Smith, 32, targeted a Colchester Co-op shop on at least 13 occasions between April 12 and May 23 last year.

The thief’s spree saw her steal at least 138 items from the shop which will now cost her £924.58 to repay.

Sadler-Smith, of Rosalind Avenue, Greenstead, Colchester, admitted 13 counts of theft from a shop when she appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court.

Her litany of offences began on April 12, 2021, when she stole SMA Pro baby milk to the value of £22.74, before taking sweets, chocolate and pot noodles two days later.

The next week she stole air fresheners and a Dr Pepper, all worth a total of £13.05, before returning to the same shop to take six Cathedral City cheeses and a selection of meats.

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Another theft was to take place on the same day when she took two bottles of Coke, two air fresheners, three deodorants and a packet of biscuits.

But it was on April 30, 2021, when she completed her most lucrative theft, pocketing £419.27 worth of meats, toiletries, medicine and hair ties.

More followed when the 32-year-old pocketed 12 coffee products, six Gold bars and 52 other items between May 9 and 11.

Her crimes concluded between May 16 and 23 when she stole at least 16 other items, including 12 M&M cookie bars, to the value of £215.57.

Greenstead councillor Julie Young said she is saddened to hear of the crimes and advised anyone struggling to seek help.

She said: “It is sad to hear somebody is obviously so desperate for food they are stealing from a store.

“I would encourage those struggling to take advantage of the foodbank or visit the community fridge found in Customs House, in the Hythe.”

Sadler-Smith was ordered to undertake drug rehabilitation for “drug dependency” for six months as a result of her crimes.

She must also participate in 30 days of a separate rehabilitation activity, pay a £10 fine and compensate the Co-op a total of £924.58.