Newport hairdresser punched woman before stealing her phone
The defendant was charged with robbery but her guilty pleas to theft and assault were accepted by the prosecution.
Sandell, of Stow Hill, Newport has 36 previous convictions for 94 offences on her criminal record.
She was jailed for robbery in 2015 and 2019, receiving prison terms of 28 months and 43 months respectively.
The assault and theft took place on Sunday, March 30, Matthew Comer, prosecuting, told Newport Crown Court.
Sandell grabbed the black Nokia phone from Miss Hughes and hit her to the back of the head in a blow the victim described as 'a weak punch'.
Her offences put her in breach of a community order imposed for three shoplifting offences committed at Tesco Express on Cambrian Road in Newport city centre.
Kathryn Lane representing Sandell asked the court to impose a short prison sentence as her client was making good progress in custody combating her drug problem.
'The victim said she wasn't hurt at all by the punch which she described as being weak,' her barrister told the court.
'This was an unsophisticated offence – it was stealing to provide a means to an end.
'She tells me she is remorseful for her actions and if she could turn back the clock, she would.'
Miss Lane added: 'The defendant has struggled with drug misuse for a substantial period of time.
'She has sought support in custody and has found it and is now drug free.
'The defendant has a new lease of life and intends to engage with the Gwent Drug & Alcohol Service on her release.'
Her lawyer revealed that Sandell is a qualified hairdresser who is looking to work in that field in the future.
She has been studying maths and English in jail and has a job as a wing cleaner.
Judge Richard Kember said the defendant had used 'intimidation and force' to steal the £50 phone from Miss Hughes.
Sandell was jailed for 34 weeks and will serve no more than half of that sentence in custody before being released in the community.
She was also ordered to pay a statutory victim surcharge.
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