April 30, 2019 3.23 pm This story is over 65 months old

Drug user caught during botched house raid

She was heard at the house saying “he’s going to pay for this, you wait and see what I do”

A drug user was caught raiding a Gainsborough house and packing stolen goods into carrier bags.

Mia-Bella Smith, previously known as Natalie Taylor, stole a laptop, television, clothes and food after breaking into the property in Stanley Street in the town.

Phil Gibbs, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that a neighbour dialled 999 after seeing Smith enter the house.

“The police apprehended this defendant in the grounds of the premises. She had a number of carrier bags with her containing stolen items.

“She claimed she had been clearing the house with the permission of the occupant but he turned up. He found the lights on and his property outside, bagged up and ready to go.”

Mr Gibbs said that at the scene Smith was heard to say: “He’s going to pay for this. You wait and see what I do.”

Smith, 33, formerly of Gainsborough, but now living in Oughtibridge, Sheffield, admitted the burglary on 13 August last year.

She also admitted breach of bail after failing to turn up for her sentence at the court in February this year having pleaded guilty to the burglary offence the previous month.

The court was told Smith went missing but was arrested recently after police spotted her back in Gainsborough.

Smith was jailed for a total of 28 months.

David Eager, for Smith, said she failed to attend the original sentencing hearing after missing an appointment with the probation service and then falling ill.

He said “She regrets in the extreme not co-operating with the probation service.”

Mr Eager said she committed the burglary after getting back involved in the drugs scene.

He added that Smith had planned to return to Gainsborough to collect her belongings and was then going to hand herself in but was arrested before she was able to do that.