A PERSISTENT thief, of no fixed abode, found herself behind bars for Christmas after being jailed by Basildon Magistrates.

Jodie Powell, 36, admitted stealing packs of meat valued at £50.84 from Aldi in Grays. The offence took place in April but took nine months to come before magistrates, who heard there was wilful and persistent failure by Powell to comply with the probation service and to continue to commit offences.

She was sent to prison for 14 days and ordered to pay the value of the meat by to Aldi by way of compensation.