A BURGLAR involved in a pickaxe raid on a Worcester home also stole a purse from a volunteer at a Worcester hospital.

Samantha Skipp appeared at Worcester Crown Court over videolink from HMP Eastwood Park where she admitted a single count of burglary and a bail act offence.

The 38-year-old, of Mealcheapen Street, Worcester, admitted the burglary at a house in the city's Newtown Road on May 11 this year with co-defendant Michael Repton during which car keys were stolen.

However, she denied a burglary at Mortlake Avenue, Worcester on May 15 during which car keys and two charity boxes were stolen.

These pleas were deemed acceptable by the Crown Prosecution Service and no evidence was offered against Skipp on the Mortlake Avenue burglary.

Skipp also admitted failing to surrender to bail after she failed to attend a court hearing on June 17.

We had already reported how Michael Repton, Skipp’s co-defendant, admitted three house burglaries, handling stolen goods, three frauds, possession of a controlled drug of class A (heroin) and possession of a controlled article for use in a fraud at hearing earlier this month.

The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed for three years by judge Robert Juckes QC.

The most serious burglary, that involving the pickaxe (with Skipp as an accomplice) took place in Newtown Road, Worcester, on May 11.

The occupiers became aware of 'a series of loud bangs' and went downstairs to discover the window to their porch had been smashed, causing £150 to £200 worth of damage, and keys taken. Officers found a pickaxe and broken glass nearby.

The occupiers were at home in all three burglaries carried out by Repton.

Rupert Jones, prosecuting, said Skipp had already admitted further offences - stealing a purse containing £45 from a volunteer at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on May 8 and a bail act offence - on July 6.

Skipp was due to be sentenced for this matter at the magistrates court on July 18.

Skipp took the purse, left on a nearby plinth by a volunteer, as she left the hospital. Judge Juckes said all matters should be dealt with at the same time.

Nick Berry, for Skipp, said she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and PTSD and had been previously detained under the Mental Health Act.

Judge Juckes adjourned the sentencing hearing at Worcester Crown Court to August 8, asking the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report in the meantime.

Skipp's Facebook profile includes a link to a fundraiser set up by her called "Homeless need a deposit".

The fundraiser, which had no donations, is looking to raise £500.

Skipp wrote: "Please help, you can see what I need."