Staff challenged the 48-year-old and police eventually caught up with her
Vicky Heaton(Image: British Transport Police (BTP))
A prolific thief who went on a stealing spree at Manchester’s Piccadilly Station has been locked up.
Vicky Heaton, 48, went into a bar on the upper concourse of the train station, at around 12.45pm on Tuesday, July 29, and went into a staff room, a court heard.
She rifled through employee’s bags swiping a wallet, debit card and cash before fleeing.
A staff member later realised his wallet was missing and checked the bar’s CCTV.
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He spotted her in the station later that night and challenged her but eventually lost sight of her.
She returned a week later.
Heaton struck twice at Piccadilly station(Image: MEN MEDIA)
On Tuesday, August 5, she entered a shop in the station and tried to steal some electronic headphones. She left after being challenged by staff but returned later with a shopping bag.
On that occasion she stole chocolate, toiletries and headphones worth a total of more than £210.
Staff alerted police and she was detained by officers from British Transport Police (BTP) who spotted her a short time later.
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Heaton, of no fixed abode, was charged with theft and burglary and pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates Court.
She was last Wednesday (August 6) sentenced to 16 weeks in prison. She was also ordered to pay court costs of £154
PC Peter Greenhow, from BTP, said in a statement issued following the hearing: “Shoplifting can have a devastating effect on businesses and the theft of personal belonging causes real distress.
“Thanks to the vigilance of station staff and swift action by our officers, a repeat offender has been brought to justice.
“We’ll continue to working hard to tackle theft and ensure those who target our stations are held accountable.”