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A transgender woman is set to be sent to a men's prison after she carried out a "campaign of burglaries" in a one-night crime spree.

Tamara Williams was jailed on Tuesday morning after pleading guilty to handling stolen goods, theft from a shop and five counts of burglaries.

The 37-year-old, of Bridge Street, Birkenhead, broke into supported accommodation for vulnerable people and people older than 55.

There she attempted to steal a treasured Second World War medal on October 25, 2019 in an hour-long crime spree.

Tamara, who changed her name in 2005, was sentenced to two years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court .

At least part of this sentence will be at a male prison though, despite her defence appealing to Judge Robert Warnock for a suspended sentence.

It's understood Williams will be able to appeal where the rest of her sentence is spent after initially being sentenced to a male facility.

The court heard how Williams had went through a bout of homelessness in January 2019 and had drug misuse issues, which led to her committing crimes.

(Image: Merseyside Police)

As well as the burglaries last October, Williams was also charged with handling stolen goods and theft from a shop after a police officer caught her with a tray of stolen items from Tesco, in January 2019.

Williams had attempted to steal Prosecco, easter eggs and other alcoholic items from the Hoylake Road branch of Tesco, in Moreton.

As well as these items, she was also found with three stolen Google phones, worth £1,835.

Williams had attempted to steal these items after "falling off the wagon" from being drug-free for eight months, Chris McMaster, defending, said.

Months later, in October, she struck again when trying to steal items from homes at Brooks Court, Whetstone Lane.

The sheltered housing supports vulnerable people and those aged 55 and older.

Kate Gaskell, prosecuting, said Williams made her way into four people's homes and when caught by a victim in their doorway, she said: "Are you expecting home help?"

When the victim, Michael Delaney, replied to say he wasn't Williams said: "Sorry I must have the wrong house."

Another victim caught Williams sitting on their bed with their posessions.

Ms Gaskell said Paul Christie "asked what she was doing there and the defendant said 'Someone said it was all right for me to come in.'"

Williams had attempted to steal Mr Christie's father's Second World War medal, alcohol, food and about £50 in cash.

All the items were returned to Mr Christie and the other victims.

The court heard Williams had attempted to take food, car keys, a key and alcohol from other victims targeted in the spree.

Mr McMaster said the attempted burglaries took place after "she was coming out of the other side" of drug misuse issues and prior to the October 25 crimes she had "ran into old associates" in Hamilton Square "taking drugs".

He called the attempted burglaries "out of character" and pleaded for a suspended sentence for his client after he'd been informed Williams would be sent to a male prison.

Sentencing, Judge Warnock said: "Your drug dependency led you to have no appreciation of the rights or dignity of others."

He called her crime a "domestic campaign of burglary" on "relatively elderly and vulnerable people."

Williams was sentenced to two years in prison and will be subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order when she is released.