Shoplifter threatened to slit shop manager's throat with knife after being challenged

THIEF RETURNED TO STORE A FEW WEEKS LATER

- By MARK NAYLOR

A DRUG-addicted woman with a worsening alcohol problem menacingly threatened to slit a shop manager's throat with a knife during a "brazen" shoplifting mission at a supermarket.

Serial offender Kirsty Gardiner returned to the same store a few weeks later on another thieving mission but she was soon recognised by police from telltale CCTV pictures, Hull Crown Court heard.

Gardiner, 42, of Staveley Road, east Hull, admitted robbery on May 26 and theft on June 20. The theft offence was originally charged as robbery but the plea to the lesser offence was accepted.

Billy Torbett, prosecuting, said Gardiner went to the Cooperative store on the Elmbridge Parade of shops, Greatfield estate, east Hull, and put items into a bag.