A shoplifter discovered at house during drug raids across Ipswich has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Drug addict Rachael Snell, of Shackleton Square, Ipswich, pleaded guilty before the town’s magistrates to two shop thefts, possession of a Class C drug, possession of heroin, failing to attend a Class A drug assessment and breaching a previous supervision order.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said the shoplifting offences occurred on May 19 at Primark and May 17 at TK Maxx in the Buttermarket.

Snell, 26, was detained having left Primark with a quantity of clothing valued at £131. She was subsequently identified as have stolen perfume from TK Maxx two days earlier.

When Snell was arrested two Class C drug tablets were found on her.

She also tested positive for Class A drugs and was given an appointment with the drug charity Turning Point on May 25.

However, Snell subsequently turned up one-and-a-half hour late for that appointment and was given a second one on June 2.

Mr Ablett said Snell failed to attend on that day.

The court was told Snell was arrested on Monday after police executed a drugs’ warrant in Ranelagh Road.

The raid came on a day when officers raided 11 addresses across the town and arrested a total of 15 people.

A wrap of heroin was found in one of Snell’s socks.

The offences put Snell in breach of a supervision order she was given after being convicted of theft on January 9.

She had been sentenced to a suspended prison term of 11 weeks.

Mark Holt, representing Snell, told magistrates: “It won’t surprise you to her Miss Snell has an ongoing issue with Class A drugs.

“That addiction historically has been funded through acquisitive crime, theft offences, as is typically the case.”

Snell was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

She must also undertake a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement during that time.

In addition Snell was fined a total of £150, but this was deemed time served as she had been held in custody overnight.

Snell was also told she must pay £85 costs and £115 to the victims’ fund.