A “prolific” shoplifter who admitted stealing Yankee Candles from Tesco has avoided jail – despite getting caught while serving a suspended sentence.

Samantha O’Grady appeared at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday) where she pleaded guilty to a charge of theft.

The court heard how O’Grady, aged 46, of Stoke Poges Lane in Slough, was caught on March 5 stealing eight Yankee Candles from Tesco in Taplow.

The prosecutor described O’Grady as a “prolific” shoplifter, and the court heard how in February the offender was caught stealing and given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, meaning her latest offence was committed while she was serving her sentence.

The court heard how O’Grady has committed numerous offences in the past and was facing her 75th conviction.

O’Grady’s defence lawyer made a plea to the magistrates that she should be spared jail so she can continue serving a community order which has helped her to start dealing her drug, accommodation and mental health issues.

After spending some time considering, the magistrates agreed to spare O’Grady jail time so she can continue her rehabilitation.

The magistrate said: “It’s quite unusual to see such a positive progression being made.

“This court wants this to continue. To send you back to prison today would mean that the programme stops, the work on housing stops, the work on psychological help stops and that is of no benefit to you and society.”

Instead, O’Grady was fined £40 and told to pay £119 costs, which have been added to an outstanding balance of more than £6,500 which she owes to the courts.

Following the hearing, O’Grady thanked all three magistrates on the bench.