A DRUG-ADDICTED M&S shoplifter has been spared jail, after magistrates heard she had lost her baby daughter and was sleeping rough.

Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Misty McGailey, 27, of Broad Street, admitted stealing goods worth £122.83 from the Orbital shopping centre Marks & Spencer, biting the finger of a store detective as he attempted to march her back to the shop, and failing to surrender to the court on April 10.

McGailey also admitted breaching an 18-month suspended sentence order, handed to her last year for breaching a community order.

JPs heard the woman had been able to get herself free from drink and drugs last year by staying at a rehab centre with her young daughter.

But since returning to Swindon her life had fallen apart, solicitor Emma Thacker said. She had resumed drinking, was spending £20 a day on cocaine and heroin, social services had taken her daughter and McGailey was now living in a tent in a Swindon car park.

Urging magistrates not to jail her client, Miss Thacker said McGailey could sort our her life: “She’s done it previously. She spent 10 months sober.”

Magistrates opted not to activate the six-week suspended jail sentence. Instead, McGailey must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days

Chairman of the bench Gail Chilcott urged McGailey to work with probation: “I know it’s difficult, but that’s the only thing that’s going to keep you out of that dock.”