A SOMERSET woman dubbed a “professional criminal” has been jailed after admitting 17 shop thefts in a matter of weeks.

Prolific shoplifter Louisianna Santillo, of Combe Down, received a two-month prison sentence at Bath Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (July 2) after pleading guilty to thefts from The Co-operative, in Mount Road, Bath, between June 17 and July 1.

Magistrates deemed the offences so serious that only a custodial sentence was suitable and noted the 44-year-old had a “flagrant disregard for people and their property” and that she “is operating as a professional criminal”.

Santillo also received a two-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) which has conditions preventing her entering shops within certain areas, including Fox Hill, Odd Down and Combe, upon release from prison.

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Sergeant Tom Allwood-Coppin, of the Bath neighbourhood policing team, said: “This conviction and CBO is reflective of the harm Santillo has caused businesses within our communities.

“Retail crime is not a victim-less crime. Shoplifting can have a huge impact on companies, particularly small businesses, and we are targeting prolific thieves and trying to secure convictions against as many of them as possible.

“Santillo has received a jail sentence for her crimes, but we are particularly pleased that our application for a CBO has been successful. This will help protect these retail premises and the staff employed who have suffered repeatedly at the hands of Santillo for the next two years.”