A SERIAL fraudster who targeted shops and families in Newbury has been jailed for 28 months.

Amanda Louise Futcher was also handed a five year Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) when she was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old, who lived at Two Saints Hostel in Newtown Road, told neighbours a family member was ill and tried to scam them out of money for a taxi ride to the hospital.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from a shop, one count of attempted theft from a shop and eight counts of fraud by false representation at Reading Magistrates Court last month.

The ASBO prevents Futcher from approaching any person in a public place, retail premises or private residence with the intention of obtaining money and prevents her from remaining in any shop or commercial premises if asked to leave by staff.

PC Craig Cole from Newbury Police Station said, “I am happy with the sentence which reflects the seriousness and number of offences committed. Futcher would approach people in the street or at their homes making up stories about a sick child, pulling on their heart strings and good will asking for money for a taxi when in fact it was to feed her drug habit.

"I would like to thank people coming forward to report offences following media releases; it was with their help that people have been safeguarded from future offending for the next five years.”

The charges relate to the following incidents which took place between January and March in Newbury:

* On January 10 she stole store vouchers from a shop in Hectors Way, where store vouchers were stolen from retail premises.

* On January 14 there was an incident of fraud by false representation in Newbury.

* On January 30 at Newbury Retail Park, in Pinchington Lane, clothing was stolen from a store.

* On February 2 she committed fraud by false representation at Priory Road, Newbury when she stated her baby son was in hospital and she needed cash for taxi.

* On February 3 at Newbury Retail Park, in Pinchington Lane, she attempted to steal clothing.

* On February 21 at Craven Road, Newbury, she committed fraud by false representation when she stated to residents that her son was ill and she needed money to get to hospital.

* On February 22 she committed fraud by false representation at Rectory Road, Newbury when she stated to residents that her daughter was ill in hospital and she didn’t have enough money to pay for a taxi.

* On February 23 at Chandos Road, Newbury, she knocked on doors claiming her young son was in hospital and needed money to pay for a taxi.

* On February 23 on two different occasions at Priory Place, Newbury, she knocked on doors claiming her young son was in hospital and she needed money to pay for a taxi.

* On February 24 she committed fraud by false representation in Rockingham Road, Newbury, when she called on residents claiming her daughter was in hospital and she needed money to get to the hospital.

* On March 25 at Newbury Retail Park, Pinchington Lane, she stole a baby monitor from a store.