A PROLIFIC shoplifter has been jailed after she was caught stealing from Tesco.

Carleah Day, 33, of Mill Green, Pitsea, was handed an eight-week prison sentence when she appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

She stole £110 of food from Tesco at Hazelmere, Pitsea.

Day walked into the shop and was immediately spotted by security staff.

She wandered to a part of the store where there were no CCTV cameras.

She then loaded her trolley, before going to the tills where she paid for a few low-value items, but not others.

She left the store and was immediately picked up by security staff.

In mitigation, Day told the court she had recently come out of prison and had just started treatment for heroin addiction.

However, her benefits had been stopped while she was inside.

She said she stole from Tesco because she had no money.