A South Shields woman has been jailed after repeatedly breaching a criminal behaviour order through a string of disturbing incidents involving waste bins at homes, nurseries and residential blocks across Tyneside.

Abbie Taylor, 47, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after Newcastle Crown Court heard how she targeted multiple locations in South Shields, Jarrow and Cleadon, rummaging through bins, removing soiled nappies and incontinence products, and leaving residents and nursery staff horrified.

Judge: behaviour “grotesque” and “grossly anti-social”

Recorder Tony Hawks told Taylor that although a psychiatrist found no sexual motive behind her actions, the behaviour remained “grotesque” and “grossly anti-social”, causing significant distress to those affected.

He warned Taylor that continued offending after release would result in “longer and longer periods of imprisonment”.

Incidents caught on CCTV and mobile footage

The court heard that Taylor’s behaviour escalated over several months. In one incident, a resident discovered incontinence pads removed from her bin and later saw Taylor with her foot inside the container. On another occasion, Taylor was photographed taking bags of rubbish from the same address.

Further breaches occurred at a Tyneside property where Taylor was again seen disturbing bins. CCTV captured her entering the bin area, and in one case she was found inside a wheelie bin, concealed within a bin bag with her trousers down.

Nursery staff left “horrified”

Several nurseries across South Tyneside were also targeted. Staff reported finding large numbers of soiled nappies dumped on site, excrement smeared on milk bottles and a fire escape, and Taylor emerging from waste bins near the premises.

Parents and staff described the incidents as deeply distressing and unhygienic.

Long history of offending

Taylor has 99 previous convictions, mainly for driving and dishonesty matters. The court was told she had been working with probation and expressed a desire to continue doing so, but her repeated breaches left the judge with no alternative to custody.

Her defence barrister said there was no evidence of sexual motivation and highlighted medical advice distinguishing unusual or anti-social behaviour from diagnosed paraphilic disorders.

Admitted going into bins “to sleep and find comfort”

During earlier proceedings, Taylor admitted entering bins “to sleep and find comfort”. The court also heard that her social media profile previously referenced “adult baby” themes.

Recorder Hawks said the criminal behaviour order was designed to prevent further distress to the public, but Taylor had repeatedly ignored it.

She pleaded guilty to four breaches of the order.