A FORMER Axminster woman has escaped jail, despite being convicted for a string of offences.

A FORMER Axminster woman has escaped jail, despite being convicted for a string of offences.

Kirsty Marie Gooding, 20, been given a nine week sentence, suspended for 12 months, for charges ranging from burglary to possession of a Class A drug.

Gooding, formerly of St Andrew's Drive, pleaded guilty to the charges at Central Devon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, November 12.

In June, Gooding admitted to stealing �315 in coins from a glass demijohn in Whitford; theft of goods to the value of �17.37 from the Co-op in Axminster, and the theft of a bank card and cash to the value of �250.

The court ordered a deferred sentence, on the condition she remained out of trouble and drug-free.

But she was later charged with possession of 3 grammes of the Class A drug diamorphine; two thefts from Boots - of goods totalling over �400, and theft of clothing and accessories from Marks and Spencer in Exeter to the value of �199, on September 14.

Gooding failed to attend court in the morning and a warrant had been issued for her arrest. She attended later that day.