A drug-addicted woman was a “complete nightmare” when she was out of prison – but she saw jail as her “home” and a “break” from the endless cycle of heroin and crime, Hull Crown Court heard. Prolific criminal Victoria Carroll, 42, of Hull, but recently of no fixed address and in custody on remand, admitted offences of theft and assault on January 22.
She denied robbery and the lesser offence of theft was accepted. She admitted separate offences of burglary on June 22 and two matters of theft on May 12.
Corey Boothe, prosecuting, said that a woman was with two men and Carroll in Princes Avenue, west Hull, on January 22 when, completely unprovoked, Carroll hit her twice on the side of her head with a clenched fist and hurled insults at her. She told her to take some money out of a cash machine and warned her that she would hit her again.
The woman walked with her and the men to Sainsbury’s in Princes Avenue and Carroll told her to stop crying. Carroll stood behind her while she withdrew £40 and handed it to Carroll, who took her bank card and bought some scratch cards.
Carroll took the woman’s mobile phone, which cost £500. The woman later said: “The incident has left me at a financial loss when I was already struggling.”
On May 12, Carroll stole a knife block, valued at £29.99, from Boyes and hid it under her jacket. She returned later that day and stole a beard shaver, valued at £24.99, and a tower pan set, valued at £39.99.
On June 22, Carroll entered the window display area at Cash Express in Hessle Road, west Hull, after a man tampered with a lock to the staff area. She stole items of jewellery, including gold chains, and mobile phones, together valued at £5,699.
Attempts were made to detain her. Carroll was arrested in Spring Bank on June 25 but she became argumentative.
She said: “What burglary? I haven’t done a burglary. I only do shop thefts.” Carroll had convictions for 75 previous offences, including 26 theft-related and one involving assault.
Jazmine Lee, mitigating, said that Carroll had no accommodation and no form of income and this would continue to be the case when she was released from prison. “The defendant is committing these offences because she has no money,” said Miss Lee.
Carroll referred to being in prison as a “break” from her situation. “Having said that, she doesn’t want to stay there much longer,” said Miss Lee.
“She does understand that, if she continues, the sentences are going to get longer and longer,” said Miss Lee. “She has been in the throes of drug addiction for many years.
“She thinks that it is heroin that is the one that is killing her. Custody does seem to be having a positive impact on her.”
At an earlier hearing, Carroll told the court: “I haven’t had a very good lifestyle. I always class prison as home. I have started on a detox – methadone. I have been out of trouble for quite a long time. I have done real well.”
Judge Richard Woolfall said that Carroll was a “complete nightmare and a handful” when she was out of prison and on drugs but she was “a completely different person” when she was off drugs. “It’s clear that virtually all your offending is designed to support your drug addiction,” said Judge Woolfall.
“You have been addicted to Class A drugs for a very long time. The only time when you really get any respite is when you are locked up. You feel safe while in custody.
“There is a high risk of reoffending in your case. The offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate. If you breach the terms of your licence, back to prison you will go.”
Carroll was jailed for two years and one month. She was given a five-year restraining order, banning her from the Cash Express store.
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