She was a nurse who helped people and a mother-of-three... then she became a career criminal

A former NHS auxiliary nurse who became a career criminal after she developed a severe drug habit following the birth of her third child was jailed yesterday.

Mother-of-three Gemma Fletcher, 35, had been a respected healthcare assistant working in the A&E unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital, but in 2019 she suffered a back injury whilst in labour. Initially, Fletcher was treated with powerful prescription-only painkillers but became addicted to the tablets and began using heroin.

Over the following five years she clocked up 32 offences of house burglary, theft and stealing from cars - all of which she carried out to feed her habit. In a 1am raid, in which she was armed with a brick, Fletcher was caught by a householder rummaging through coats after walking into their hallway via an unlocked door.

During the confrontation she pleaded, 'I have just come from the hospital and I need money for drugs', before being detained in a citizen's arrest.

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Later, when questioned by police about the raid she said: ''It's just what I have to do to get by". A bag that was found in her possession contained stolen items from other properties, including a disabled parking badge.

She was released on bail, but within hours was stealing again from cars. Fletcher, from Atherton, was arrested again last February after raiding the hotel room of a woman who was fleeing domestic violence and stole medication she needed for a stomach tumour.

Inquiries revealed she was on licence at the time having been released early from another prison stretch for breaking into motor vehicles.

At Bolton Crown Court, Fletcher appeared via