A violent woman who tried to steal a stranger’s car while he was sitting in the driver’s seat has been jailed for more than five years. Julie Walls, 46, of Seale, targeted two men at Westgate Retail Park in Aldershot as she attempted to grab their car keys on July 16 last year.
Hampshire Police said she climbed into the passenger seat of one of the vehicles and behaved aggressively while trying to take the keys from the driver. The victim sounded his car horn, alerting a nearby officer who rushed over and detained Walls. During the search, officers discovered she was carrying a pair of scissors.
Days later, on July 20, Walls knocked on the door of a property in Wilson Road and told a woman she felt unwell and needed a glass of water.
But once inside, she stole a pouch containing £1,000 before fleeing the address.
Walls was later arrested and charged with burglary dwelling and theft, attempted robbery, attempted theft and possessing a blade or sharply pointed article in a public place.
She admitted all offences and was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on March 12 to five years and eight months in prison.
Detective Constable Chris Phillips, from the Northern Area Crime Team, said Walls’ actions were “completely unacceptable”.
He said burglary was “one of the most intrusive crimes” and can have long-lasting effects on victims.
He added: “Her actions also left the victims feeling terrified when she acted in a threatening way while attempting to steal their car keys.
“I hope that this sentence allows the victims in these cases to try and move forward, knowing that Walls will spend a considerable amount of time behind bars.”