Exclusive:Woman shoplifted almost £4,000 by targeting Portsmouth convenience stores - and now faces jail time
Michelle Jewel pleaded guilty to 29 counts of shoplifting - then admitted further offences once she was in the dock.
Steaks, washing detergent and shampoo were among the items stolen to the tune of almost £4,000 by a Southsea woman, a court has heard.
Between November 2025 and May 2026, Michelle Jewell repeatedly targeted a handful of convenience stores in Portsmouth, shoplifting to her heart’s content as the left with whatever she fancied. Chocolate, drinks, meat and beauty products were also among her ill-gotten gains.
The 47-year-old, from St Michael’s Road, Southsea, previously pleaded guilty to 29 counts of shoplifting, having mostly targeted the Sainsbury’s in Guildhall Walk, the One Stop in Chichester Road, and the Spar in Copnor Road.
Appearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, October 6) she pleaded guilty to a further nine charges of theft from a shop, plus one public disorder charge. Jewell, who had a screwdriver confiscated from her person by security at the entrance to the court, stood in the dock wearing a red Adidas t-shirt, with black tracksuit trousers.
Noel Watkins, prosecuting, said: “The total value of stolen goods is almost £4,000. The total offending takes you to the top of the sentencing guidelines, as she has taken items far over the value of £1,000.
“This case should be sent to the crown court for sentencing. The public disorder matter is linked to one of the shoplifting offences.
“Hopefully her sentencing will bring an end to her matters here before the courts.”
Questions remained over the conditions of Jewell’s bail, which included a prohibition from entering the One Stop in Chichester Road - which the defendant herself described as “confusing”. It was argued by both prosecution and defence that this bail condition should either include every convenience store she has targeted, or be removed entirely.
After a brief deliberation, the magistrates opted to lift the condition, although her requirement to register with police three times a week will remain enforced.
Remanded on conditional bail, Jewell will be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, November 20. The defendant, who was told she is staring down the barrel of a custodial sentence, thanked the court before she left.
Having exited the court building, she quicky u-turned to retrieve her screwdriver from the front desk.