A SERIAL thief who stole nearly £800 worth of merchandise from a store in Port Glasgow has been jailed — but she'll be out in time for Christmas.

Annmarie McCrorey — whose criminal record has been branded 'horrendous' — strolled out of TK Maxx with a trolley overflowing with stolen gear.

McCrorey, 37, was on bail over the raid when she pilfered a pair of shoes at nearby Tesco, and she is alleged to have stolen again whilst on deferred sentence.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how she loaded up on clothes and household goods to the value of £763.52 before short-cutting the checkout and making for the exit.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said: "The accused walked to the front door and exited with a trolley full of items and the store alarm activated.

"She was stopped and stated that she'd bought the items but had no proof of purchase."

McCrorey had been on deferred sentence to be of good behaviour regarding a string of cases but fiscal depute Ms Scaife revealed that fresh matters are now pending.

It is understood that McCrorey, of Whinhill Crescent, Greenock, is facing charges involving alleged drug possession, breaches of the peace and bail and a new allegation of shoplifting.

She carried out the TK Maxx raid in January last year and stole the shoes, valued at £12, from Tesco last November.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said a recent spell in hospital with a liver condition had been a 'wake-up call' for her.

Mr Gallagher added: "She has been drug free for the last month. She has not been incarcerated since 2007."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton remarked: "One might think that she's been fortunate, given her track record in 2016 and 2017."

McCrorey had been previously spared prison for other shoplifting raids despite a background report stating that she was a 'high risk' of re-offending.

Her past crimes include taking delivery of a £600 mountain bike knowing that it had been stolen, pinching £330 worth of clothes from Sports Direct and helping herself to perfume from a pharmacy.

Sheriff Hamilton sentenced McCrorey to ten months imprisonment, however, because offenders usually serve half of the terms handed down to them, it is likely that she will be back on the streets in October.