A PROLIFIC offender and heroin addict pleaded with magistrates to be given extra time in jail because she wanted to sort herself out.

Kelly Thirkettle, who has 31 convictions for 65 offences, including 26 thefts, was disappointed when the Swindon bench told her she was only going to prison for 30 days. “Could we not possibly add just one extra week,” she asked as she was led from the dock.

She had pleaded guilty to stealing £233 of cosmetics from Boots on March 9 and possessing heroin. Prosecutor Michelle Hewett said Thirkettle, was arrested after CCTV showed her putting items in a carrier bag.

As she left the store she was approached by staff and asked to go to the security office. However she pleaded to be able to pay for the goods and said her mum and boyfriend would do it. She also told staff she had four children. When she was taken to custody at the police station and searched, her eyeshadow was found to contain wraps of heroin.

Ms Hewett said Thirkettle admitted the offences during an interview with police and told them she had been using the drug on that day. “She said she funded her drug habit by shoplifting and working the streets.”

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: “She has had a problem with drugs for a considerable period of time.” Her habit cost £250 a day and her lifestyle was chaotic. “She knows she is going to custody. She asks for custody so she has a period of time to re-set herself and take advantage of the agencies in prison. She suggests perhaps 10 weeks would be appropriate.”

Chairman of the bench Diana Crockett told Thirkettle: “You have a long and unenviable record.” In response to the defendant’s plea for longer, she added: “As magistrates we have guidelines we have to use.”