In total, the mum-of-three, who is living in temporary accommodation with her baby in Folkestone, failed to pay for £744.35 worth of fuel.

She also missed two court dates amid the offending, leading to charges of failing to surrender to custody.

When she finally appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on March 24, Morley admitted 11 counts of making off without payment and two counts of failing to surrender.

She returned for sentencing on Friday, May 9, with magistrates told the thefts took place at various forecourts, including Tesco, Esso and BP, with some being hit more than once.

Elizabeth Evans, prosecuting, told the court that Morley had been convicted of previous identical offences in 2023.

At the time, she was said to be struggling for money and needed to fill up her car to drive her older children to school.

Defending, Lewis Holloway said Morley had kept out of trouble until 2019, when she received a conviction for drink-driving.

Addressing magistrates, he said: “The drink-driving was her first conviction, and then she’s got the making-off offences.

“These coincided with the end of her relationship, her marriage - it was controlling, coercive, and she suffered abusive behaviour.

“It also impacted on her home life and she was reported for fraud to the Benefits Agency, so she’s been in a very difficult financial position.

“She regrets what’s happened and she’s now getting help from probation and currently lives in a bed and breakfast with a nine-month-old child.

“Can I suggest you follow the recommendations in the pre-sentencing report for a community-based punishment?”

However, magistrates said Morley’s repeat offending left them with little choice but to impose a custodial sentence - although they decided to suspend the 120-day term for two years, giving her one last chance to turn her life around.

She was also ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation sessions with the probation service.

The chairman of the bench told her: “You’ve done it before (making off without paying) and then again and again, despite a community order and rehabilitation sessions.

“And you also failed to attend (court) - you just didn’t turn up.

“You have a nine-month-old son and he doesn’t want to see his mum going to jail. You need to support him and stop offending.

“You will go to prison if you commit another offence. It’s been persistent offending and we don’t want you to do it anymore.

“Probation think they can work with you, so work with probation and don’t come back to court.”

Morley, who receives £291 a fortnight in benefits, was ordered to repay the £744.35 she stole from the garages at a rate of £20 a month due to her limited income.