Merthyr Tydfil woman stole family's presents on Christmas Eve

Emma Barrett stole wrapped Christmas presents worth more than £850 from a car

A woman who stole gifts worth hundreds of pounds from a family on Christmas Eve has been jailed for 16 weeks.

Emma Barrett, 35, stole wrapped presents worth more than £850 from a car in an "impulsive" theft.

Barrett, who had previous theft convictions, admitted stealing the gifts - but police never found them.

Merthyr Tydfil magistrate Carol Sweet JP said Barrett's actions were "mean and spiteful".

Barrett, from Merthyr Tydfil, had turned to drugs following the death of her partner in 2021, and had been stealing to fund her habit.

Steve Jones, defending, said that Barrett acknowledged the "spitefulness" of her actions, but that it was an offence committed "on impulse".

Mike Powell, prosecuting, said the gifts were taken from victim Cheryl Jones' car on Merthyr Tydfil's Gurnos estate on 24 December 2023.

Doorbell footage from a neighbour appeared to show Barrett offering a Lego item for sale, and although when she was arrested later that day, no items were found.

The court heard Barrett was arrested again four days later, and she then admitted to police that she had stolen the gifts.

Despite directing officers to an outside location where she said the presents had been kept, nothing was found.

Mr Powell said this meant Ms Jones' family failed to receive their Christmas gifts.

The court heard Barrett was currently in prison for another theft offence, for which she was due to be released next month.

She had also served another sentence last year for theft.

Barrett pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced to 16 weeks in custody to run concurrently with her existing sentence.

No orders for compensation or costs were made, but Barrett was told to pay a £154 surcharge on her release.