'Hardened thief' who enlisted her children to help with shoplifting is spared jail
Minodora Marin got her children to carry stolen items out of a shop, the court heard.
A woman who enlisted her own children to help her with shoplifting has been spared jail.
Minodora Marin, 25 from New Road, Buckland, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday, April 24), accused of theft from a shop, namely a Co-Op in Portsmouth.
Here, the court was told of how Marin is a repeat offender when it comes to shoplifting, on this occasion stealing items to the value of £18.10 on February 24 this year.
Despite her track record for shoplifting, and previous prison sentences for such offences, she avoided being put behind bars this time around - despite bringing her children along to help her steal.
Marin, who wore a pale hoodie into court, shook her head in the dock as her sentence was read out, and scoffed at the mention of her children.
Sentencing, District Judge David Robinson said: “This is your 10th conviction of theft for shoplifting, and the court has given you opportunities to rehabilitate before.
“It’s fair to say you are a hardened thief; in this case, you had your children with you and they were handling your items. You were inducting them into your world of crime.
“That is a serious matter. Only a custodial sentence can be justified.”
Marin was given a sentence of 12 weeks in prison, which is suspended for one year. She was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £154 and costs of £85.
Addressing the judge as she left the courtroom, Marin said: “Thank you so much. I’m sorry.”
Over the past few years, Co-Op has brought in bodycams for employees in stores across Portsmouth. Meanwhile, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been focusing on securing prosecutions against repeat offenders.
Businesses across Hampshire have also been advised to sign up to UK Partners Against Crime, an AI-powered app that can be used to report shoplifting and even identify offenders.
Speaking about shoplifting last month, Havant MP Alan Mak said: “The UKPAC app is a great way of using technology to help businesses fight back against shoplifting.
“But I also believe it is very important that our police officers are seen out and about in the community, as that is both reassuring to local residents and also acts as a deterrent to those who commit crime.”