A CHARD drug addict who snatched the handbag of a mother while she was chasing after her small toddler was desperate for her next fix and “screaming out for drugs”.

Claire Louise Stone “saw the opportunity” when the mother took her sight off her bag which was hanging on her child’s buggy.

She grabbed the bag which contained more than £100 in cash along with credit cards and a phone and did not come to the attention of police until four months later when the victim spotted her again by chance.

When she was arrested by the police she admitted the offence and confessed she had used the money to buy drugs, Somerset Magistrates were told.

Stone, 29, of East Street, pleaded guilty to stealing a handbag containing £105 and a Sony Xperia phone belonging to Emma Sibley at Chard on February 8.

She was sentenced to an eight week prison sentence, suspended for the next 18 months. During that time she must take part in a 30 day rehabilitation Activity Requirement and she was also ordered to pay £300 compensation tote victim but no costs.

Lucy Coleman, prosecuting, said that Miss Sibley was walking to Tesco with her two year old daughter on reins but when she reached an alleyway near Springfield Crescent the child ran off and she followed her while still holding the pushchair.

“The victim became aware of a person running after her and let go of the pushchair to get her daughter and Stone then grabbed the handbag and ran off towards Tesco,” she said.

“The bag contained approximately £105 in cash, cards and a mobile phone and some time later on June 30 the complainant was near Henson Park in Chard when she saw Stone and recognised her sat on a tree stump.

“She pointed her out to a neighbour who identified the defendant and then took some photos and gave them to the police.”

“On July 7 the police went to Stone’s home and arrested her and when interviewed she admitted the offence saying she was desperate for a fix and just saw the opportunity, took the bag and ran off.”

She said she used the cash to buy some drugs and threw the other contents in a bin.

Miss Coleman added: “She said she was screaming out for drugs and in pain and agony and had to find a way to get a fix for the day saying the heroin had got too much for her.”

In a victim impact statement made by Miss Sibley she said that the incident had left her feeling scared to leave her flat and had felt worried and anxious and upset at the way the defendant had run after them.

She also said the loss of the money and her cards had had a massive impact on her as she had two children to support with her partner.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Stone had been addicted to heroin for the past five years and had not deliberately targeted the victim.

He said: “She became incredibly dependant on the drug to the extent that she felt disconnected from the world and her pain and craving was such that she took the bag.

“It was a chance encounter and a spontaneous act by somebody who was overwhelmed by the need to obtain a drug to which they are desperately addicted.

“She is now desperately sorry for what she did and would like to apologise and understands the loss and inconvenience she has suffered.”

He added that Stone was now on medication and free from illegal drugs and wanted to become a fitness instructor.