She didn't 'intend to go out to steal' but then she noticed the parcel room was unlocked Anna Kochanek, 36 helped herself to packages at a block of flats in south Manchester after they were left in an unlocked mail room Anna Kochanek pictured outside court (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd ) A mum who stole parcels left in doorways by deliverymen has escaped jail after blaming her behaviour on bouts of severe post natal depression. Anna Kochanek, 36 helped herself to packages at a block of flats in Longsight, south Manchester after they were left in an unlocked mail room. Police linked her to five opportunistic theft between September 5, 2023, and December 30, 2023, when she was living near the apartment block on Clarendon Road. ‌ The values of the goods inside ranged from £13 to £69. When questioned Kochanek said she had led a 'chaotic lifestyle' involving drugs after falling into post natal depression following the birth of her children. She said she had been keeping the parcels as she did not have the means to buy things for herself. She has since moved to Crewe, Cheshire where she is currently clean of drugs. At Crewe magistrates court Kochanek, who works as a cleaner in a diner, pleaded guilty to five charges of burglary and was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 days rehabilitation activity. She was also made to pay £199 in costs and victim surcharge and £201.22 in compensation for the stolen goods. Article continues below Scott Woodward, prosecuting, said: "The defendant has entered the post area of that building and proceeded to take residents' parcels from that area and steal the goods from within them." Mr Woodward said the first parcel involved goods worth £13, and the others £44.22, £60, £69 and £15. Taryn Reay, defending, said: "She had not intended to go out to steal. It was opportunistic. The parcel was in the doorway and the door was open at the block of flats. ‌ "She took the opportunity and opened the parcels and kept the contents. She did not sell them. "The reason was financial. She never had means to buy products for herself but she accepts that it was wrong and she is extremely remorseful for it. Miss Reay added: ''She moved from Poland at 20 years of age and at 21 she had a partner and had two children. The relationship did not last and she became a single parent within a period of time. ‌ "She has since been diagnosed as suffering from very severe depression. She described at the time that she did not know what to do, she could not get out of bed and she was feeling worthless. At one point when the children were aged three and 18 months, she phoned her ex partner and told him that she needed to leave and never returned to her property. "She did not see the children again until this year. Her life in that period can only be described as chaotic and traumatising in many ways. She moved in with a friend. She got hooked on drugs. "Very sadly and strangely, her friend's boyfriend ended up stalking her and abusing her to the extent that she was put in a safe house. She was put in a house by Cheshire Police initially in Northwich, but she was relocated to Blackpool where she knew nobody. ‌ "She used more and more drugs at that time. Her life was spiralling out of control." Miss Reay said that despite the postnatal depression, trauma, abuse and the cycle of drug use, Kochanek, who has 15 previous theft offences on her record, had never been given help to deal with her issues. "She is still suffering and requires in my opinion assistance and support but she has re-started a relationship with her two children and that is something that is getting her through this. She does not want to jeopardise that relationship again. She is no longer using any drugs and has removed herself fully away from anyone who was using drugs.'' Article continues below Passing senetnce, JP Tim Bakkers said: "Custody was a very real consideration however, we have also had the benefit of the presentence report which has gone into some detail of your personal circumstances and the 15 fairly chaotic years you have had and where your life has been.''