A COMPULSIVE thief has avoided prison for a string of offences – including stealing a strawberry mousse.

Sandra Da Silva was caught on camera last November stealing a £700 bike from a property in Sillwood Road, Brighton.

But the 34-year-old was also guilty of two other offences, including another burglary and theft.

The first burglary happened at a house in Brighton.

Da Silva, of St John’s Mount in Mount Pleasant, Brighton, stole keys and clothing including a West Ham United top, and the strawberry mousse.

She then shoplifted £159 worth of clothing from the Superdry store in Brighton.

Da Silva was finally arrested for her stealing spree after she was caught on camera breaking open a shed door at Tom Geyton’s home in Sillwood Road on November 23.

She brazenly made off with the trainee surgeon’s racing bike after trying to break into other sheds in the same garden.

She pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates’ Court in November to the Sillwood Road burglary and was remanded in custody because the crime breached her suspended sentence.

It was revealed at her initial hearing that Da Silva has struggled with the use of Class A drugs and has a recent history of offending, including shoplifting and possession of a bladed article.

At Lewes Crown Court last month, Da Silva was given a 14-month prison sentence suspended for two years for her crimes.

She was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and undergo a 30-day rehabilitation programme.

She must also pay £700 compensation to Mr Geyton.

Mr Geyton, who works at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, said yesterday: “I wasn’t expecting to get any money back.

“It came as a shock.

“I feel for her – she is obviously a troubled individual in a bad position that she had to steal a bike to make money.”

Mr Geyton added that he has since purchased a new, cheaper bike and no longer keeps it in his shed.

In the CCTV footage, Da Silva is seen trying to look inside each of the three sheds in the courtyard. She starts with the middle door, but has no luck in breaking in and moves on to Mr Geyton’s.