Briggs and her daughter Beach, who live together, have both battled drug addiction and have a string of previous convictions. Four years ago, they were caught stealing Poppy Appeal collection boxes. Beach took two boxes as her mum distracted collectors. In June, they stole pensioner Margaret Roberts’ handbag during a service at the Methodist Church in Cobham.

Michael McCabe, defending, said Beach had been hooked on heroin since the age of 14 after being introduced to the drug by her mother.