A serial shoplifter jailed after threatening to steal a dog after barging into a home has returned to court for robbing toiletries out a shop in Troon.

Nadia Johnstone appeared from custody at Ayr Sheriff Court for sentencing on the single charge last week after receiving a 10-month jail term in Kilmarnock last month.

Police managed to track her down after we previously reported the accused going on the run, with several warrants issued for the 23-year-old's arrest for repeat failures to appear in court.

Her absence led to Police Scotland putting out a missing person appeal in a bid to trace her.

She admitted stealing toiletries and gift sets from the Boots store in Academy Street, Troon on May 26 last year, with sentence deferred pending the outcome of her cases at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

And Johnstone received another two-month jail sentence, to be served forthwith along with others, when she appeared at Ayr on Tuesday, June 13, represented by defence agent Colin McLaughlin. 

A judge in Kilmarnock previously told Johnstone there was no alternative to a prison sentence because of her repeated failure to comply with court orders. Johnstone had pleaded guilty to barging into the address in the town's Clark Drive on May 11, 2022 - leading to her being arrested near a chip shop a short distance away.

She admitted entering the home without invitation, then refusing to leave while behaving in an aggressive manner towards a man and woman. Johnstone shouted, swore and threatened the woman with violence and threatened to take her dog.

Not guilty pleas to stealing the dog and pushing the woman, causing the animal's owner to collide with a wall, were later accepted by prosecutors.

In addition, Johnstone's theft spree saw her steal food and a pair of earphones from Tesco in Irvine on August 5 last year, while she was out on bail.

She later went on to steal a circular saw from Aldi on East Road on November 21, then a speaker from Currys.

She pleaded guilty to breaking into Marks and Spencer on February 7, 2022 by applying pressure to an automatic door, and making off with a haul of meat.

She also admitted nicking candles and cosmetics from Primark and cleaning products from Home Bargains, as well as destroying property belonging to the Nail Bar in the mall after pushing over a stand and damaging equipment.

She pleaded guilty to breaching a bail condition forbidding her from entering the mall or the retail park.

Johnstone also admitted failing to answer the door during a home curfew at Heatherstone Way on February 18 last year.

She also stole various items, including razors, perfume, electric toothbrushes, other electrical items and hair straighteners from the Sainsbury’s store in on January 30 and March 6, 7, 8 and 13 – and breaching a bail condition by entering the Bridgegate.

Johnstone admitted breaching a curfew by failing to remain at home in Livingstone Terrace on May 7, as well as entering the Rivergate and Bridgegate area on Boxing Day last year – again in breach of a bail order.

She also admitted robbing a store in Troon while there were warrants out for her arrest from Ayr Sheriff Court.

When she appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court back in May 4, defence solicitor Peter Murray said: “She has had significant drug addiction problems. She has never resided in her own tenancy and resided in hostels and with friends.

"She has had a significant change in circumstances. She was remanded on March 8 to HMP Greenock and since that time has fully detoxed."

Sheriff Murdoch MacTaggart replied: “I have to say I have no confidence in Ms Johnstone complying with any community-based disposal.

“Understand that this number of complaints for someone older than you could amount to years in prison."

On calculating her sentence from the eight separate complaints, he said: “The effect of all that will be a total of 10 months, backdated to March 8, so in effect serving five months from today.

“No other sentence is appropriate.

"While I accept there is now a presumption against short prison sentences, there is no alternative open because of your failure to comply with previous court orders.

“When out of custody, I hope you can break this cycle of offending.”