Prolific shoplifter who stole more than £1,000 of meats, cheeses and wine is sentenced in court
Charlene Brushwood stole meats, cheeses and wine from convenience stores on multiple occasions, the court heard.
A woman who stole more than £1,000 of goods from convenience stores has found herself behind bars - but will be out again by the end of this month.
Charlene Brushwood, from Medina Road, Cosham, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of shoplifting at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court earlier this year. Yesterday (Wednesday, June 3), she appeared in court via video link from HMP Bronzefield, to be officially sentenced for some of those offences, as well as failing to comply with a community protection notice.
The court heard how Brushwood targeted a plethora of stores, particularly One Stop and Co-Op shops. Meats, cheeses, sweets, wine and household goods were all pocketed by the serial shoplifter, who went down to Fratton and Milton for her ill-gotten gains.
On one occasion, she shoplifted to the value of £172 - without even taking any alcohol, which is typically the priciest of shoplifted goods.
Wearing a white blouse and grey trousers, the 27-year-old sat with her arms crossed as the courtroom went back and forth on her fate.
Defending Brushwood, solicitor Bridget O’Hagan explained how the defendant had already been sentenced for most of her crimes - and was supposed to be sentenced for the outstanding offences on that same day.
Ms O’Hagan said: “In April, she appeared in court for 19 thefts, and was given a six-month sentence, concurrent. There were deferred files to be brought forward, and I don’t want this to impact her release date.”
Brushwood is due to be released from prison at the end of June, having served half of her sentence.
Sentencing, District Judge David Robinson said: “This was quite a series of offences, that were so serious that a custodial sentence was necessary.
“Three of the thefts weren’t brought before the court that day. I have regard for the principle of totality, and am satisfied these offences would not have impacted your overall sentence.”
Brushwood was sentenced to four months imprisonment for the outstanding offences, which were ordered to run concurrently with the time she is already serving. This means her release date from prison has not changed.
The Cosham woman was also instructed to pay a surcharge of £154, with a deadline of four months to do so.