A industrial scale shoplifter in Easington targeted her local co-op store 20 times a week and threatened staff with a knife when they confronted her.
Durham Crown Court heard she would place items in a bag or a basket and simply walk from the premises without paying, despite interventions at times from other customers and staff.
Martin Towers, prosecuting, told the court that if approached by staff she would tell them: “You can’t f***ing touch me”, before running off, often grabbing a further item from a display on her way out.
Her shoplifting trips were made in contravention of a ban from the premises, but she did not let that deter her, sometimes returning on more than one occasion per day.
The court heard she stole over £2000 worth of goods.
When a manager was told of her presence on October 22 he approached her and told her to leave and that she was not permitted to enter the store, she threw her bag to the floor, sending bars of confectionery she intended to steal across the aisle, before leaving with a packet of baby formula.
After she returned the same day, she threatened him with a 12 inch steak knife.
In a business impact statement, the manager stated that Naisbitt was, “a constant source of work-related stress”, and, “a constant menace”.
He said the staff were often anxious and on edge in case she entered the premises.
Mr Towers said despite the incident with the knife, Naisbitt returned to the shop two days later, stealing £60-worth of detergent
Naisbitt, 47, of Avon Street, Easington Colliery, admitted 32 charges of shop theft and two of possession of a knife in public.
The court heard she has 80 convictions, 59 for theft and similar offending, but has served previous prison sentences for conspiracy to supply drugs, intimidation, battery and knife possession
The court heard her activities were fuelled by her addiction to crack cocaine.
She was sentenced to 30 months in prison.