A prolific shoplifter has been banned from Norwich Market because its proximity to Primark meant it was too much of a temptation.
Emma Howard, 33, has been made subject of bail conditions barring her from entering all retail premises within the city.
Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told there were only two exceptions to the blanket shop ban, allowing her to make essential purchases at Boots on Magdalen Street and the Co-Op on Angel Road in Catton Grove.
She had previously also been allowed to shop at Norwich Market but the court changed her bail conditions to ban her from there too.
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Lucy Brakewell, representing Howard, said she agreed to the change because going to the market would prove “too much of a temptation” for her not to steal from nearby Primark.
Howard, of Long Row in Norwich, pleaded guilty to four counts of shop theft including stealing clothing from Primark on September 26.
She also admitted assaulting a store manager at Aldi on July 29 when he tried to stop her leaving with stolen groceries.
Prosecutor Rima Bejum said: “When he confronted her she slapped him several times to the side of his head.”
She also stole items including a dog bed and an electric toothbrush from Aldi and clothing from the Nike Store at Riverside.
READ MORE: Shoplifter banned from (almost) every Great Yarmouth store
Some of the thefts occurred when she was subject to a conditional discharge for previous shoplifting convictions, the court was told.
District Judge David Wilson did not rule out sending her to prison but ordered a pre-sentence report, telling her: “Your offending is prolific and it appears to be underpinned by drug addiction.”
Ms Brakewell said she was seeking help from drug abuse service Change Grow Live.
“She is desperate and motivated to change. She is taking cocaine every other day and is turning into what she doesn’t want to be,” she added.
Howard will be sentenced on October 25.
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