A JUDGE has condemned a shoplifting family who stole designer clothes and sold them online.

Judge Sean Morris heard Dawn Bainbridge and her two daughters stole clothes from high street stores and sold them via Facebook.

They struck in York, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Leeds, Bradford, Guiseley, Stockton, Bishop Auckland, Durham, Gateshead and Edinburgh.

“Designer Goods North East” took more than £7,000 in four months and kept detailed records.

In a note seized by police, daughter Caitlyn Bainbridge boasted of making £100 a week and dreamed of going it alone.

At Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, Judge Morris jailed Dawn Bainbridge, 47, for two and a half years and daughter Claire, 21, for a year and eight months. He warned Caitlyn, 19, to expect jail when she is sentenced next month.

He told Dawn Bainbridge: “You are the villain of the piece. It’s your fault your daughters are in court. Some mother.” Their operation was uncovered by an investigator for high street chain Next, who bought clothes and proved they had been stolen.

Police who raided the family home in The Crescent, West Rainton, County Durham, recovered £7,000 of goods. Police seized a further £900 of stolen goods in June.

All three Bainbridges admitted conspiracy to steal.

David Callan, for Dawn, who also admitted theft charges, said she wanted to give her children more material security but realised the consequences of her actions.

Jamie Adams, for Claire, said his client was at a crossroads and wanted to keep on the “straight and narrow”. Caitlyn, of Ushaw Moor, will be sentenced in mid-November.