A woman has been sentenced to 16 months in prison following a theft spree which saw her target women's handbags and purses while at hospitals, shops, and cafés.

Georgina Willoughby, aged 32 and of Hopewell Street in Gloucester, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday, February 1, following a spate of handbag and purse thefts.

Willoughby had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and accepted eight TICs (charges taken into consideration). Her offending took place in Cheltenham and Gloucester between December 24, and January 9, and saw her target several victims.

In one instance Willoughby went to the A&E department at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where she targeted a disabled woman whose rucksack was hanging on the back of her wheelchair.

It is believed that Willoughby had taken the rucksack off the wheelchair while both she and the victim were sat in the waiting room. CCTV from the hospital showed Willoughby placing her large coat over the unoccupied bag, before standing up and walking out.

The rucksack was located after Find My iPhone showed that it was still on hospital grounds. The iPhone was still in the bag, but medication and money had been stolen.

During the second theft, Willoughby entered Society Café in Cheltenham on January 9. She went on to kick the victim's bag away from underneath her seat before picking it up and leaving the premises. The handbag was later found in a bin on the High Street.

The victim attended Hester's Way Police Station where PC Helen Kettle returned her handbag. Most items were still in the bag except a beanie hat, loose change, and a bank card.

In the third theft, Willoughby entered Revival Café, also in Cheltenham, and sat at a neighbouring table to the victim. At one point, Willoughby went outside to vape but left her coat behind. This stuck out to the victim as it was a very cold day.

The victim ate her food and drank her coffee during which she heard Willoughby say she was going outside again.

A short time later, the manager of the café approached the victim and told her that Willoughby had just been arrested by an officer who was on patrol in the area,

Willoughby was stopped by PC Laurie Merchant due to being wanted for a number of handbag and purse thefts.

PC Merchant seized a purse from Willoughby who went on to say: "I just did it", she then said: "I'm not going to lie to you, if you ask me where I got it from, I'll tell you."

He enquired where Willoughby had got the purse from at which point, she replied: "in there" suggesting it was stolen from the café.

The victim was asked to check her handbag, which was next to her on the bench before realising her purse had been stolen. A short time later, PC Merchant entered the café and returned the purse.

The purse had a distinctive Wolves print and nothing had been stolen from inside, however the purse had some bells on, which had been ripped off by Willoughby, presumably to avoid detection.

PC Helen Kettle from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Willoughby targeted vulnerable and elderly victims, with some offences taking place at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and a church, as well as in cafés and restaurants.

"Once Willoughby had targeted her victims, she callously dumped their money, bags and purses in bins. I welcome this sentence and the Neighbourhood team will continue to work tirelessly to ensure offenders of these offences are brought to justice."