A serial thief, caught in a house she was raiding, claimed to police she was dragged inside by its the elderly homeowners.
Katrina Cathro, was found outside the property on Artillery Lane, Dundee, demanding to be let back inside.
She had been disturbed by the owners as she stole jewellery, electric equipment and other items including towels and food.
She fled but returned, asking to be let back in as she had left medication behind.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the mother-of-two entered the property through an unlocked door on December 11.
The occupants were awoken by the noises in the house and went downstairs and saw Cathro, who then ran out of the house.
But Cathro, who has two young sons, then waited outside the house shouting to get back in, saying she had left her medication behind in a bag.
When officers arrived, she claimed the homeowners “pulled me into the house”.
The 32-year-old pled guilty to stealing a purse, a driving licence, earrings, a lighter, a charger, a computer tablet, food, cleaning products, towels, jackets and trainers.
She also admitted a second theft, on October 19 in Dundee’s Strathmartine Road.
She stole a quantity of medication, a purse, jewellery, toiletries, binoculars, a games console and bags.
She had filled three black bags with the goods, but hid under a kitchen unit when police arrived on the scene, having been alerted by a neighbour who heard noises.
All the items were ultimately recovered.
The court heard that Cathro, a prisoner in Edinburgh, had little to no recollection of the incidents as she had weaned herself off drugs but the offences took place during a “relapse”.
Her defence solicitor said: “Custody is inevitable in this case.
“These offences came about during a period of relapse. She is taking advantage of the drug services in prison.
“She has little memory of these offences. There have been difficulties for care of her father.”
Cathro also admitted breaching a bail order by being outwith an address at Clifden Blue Court between the hours of 7pm and 7am on December 11 last year.
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed her for 14 months.
He said: “I will take into account that you pled guilty at an early stage and that meant witnesses did not have to come to court.”
