Gosport woman jailed for 19 weeks after shoplifting whilst on a suspended sentence
A woman from Gosport has been jailed for 19 weeks after continuing to shoplift despite receiving a suspended sentence earlier this year.
Sarah Ellen Thorne, 56, of Foster Road in Gosport, was found guilty of stealing food and alcohol from local shops on three occasions in October and November.
Thorne was found guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Saturday, November 29 of theft of alcohol from Waitrose on Stoke Road Wednesday, October 29 and Sunday, November 2. She was also found guilty of theft of food items from One Stop in Village Road on Sunday, November 23.
While she was sentenced to one week in prison for each offence to be served consecutively, Thorne had previously been given a 16-week suspended sentence after appearing at the same court on Wednesday, September 17 for three separate counts of shoplifting. All of which took place at the Waitrose on Stoke Road in July and August.
As such, the sentence has now been activated and Thorne will serve a total of 19 weeks in custody,
Sergeant Rhys McCarthy of the Neighbourhood Police Team said: “We take all reports of shoplifting extremely seriously and I hope this result reassures the local community that we will do all we can to put offenders before the courts.
“We want to stop this type of behaviour, and encourage businesses affected to please keep reporting crimes to us so we can relentlessly pursue those responsible.”
Hampshire police are asking anyone who witnesses shoplifting to report it to them.
A Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson said: “If you are a shop owner or staff member, please continue to report any shopliftings to us. With your information, we can act, including arresting and charging suspects and convicting offenders at court.
“You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website. If a crime is in progress, please call 999.”