A woman with 18 previous convictions – mostly for theft offences – has appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court once again charged with 2 counts of theft from a shop.
Emma James, 36, currently of Newport Road in Ventnor, was put before Magistrates on Tuesday accused of stealing £50.70 worth of shopping from Morrisons in Newport across 2 occasions.
Liz Miller, for the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court that on 24th April, James entered the Morrisons supermarket and picked up 3 candles and a blanket. She proceeded to the self-scan area where she scanned just 1 of the candles before walking out with all of the products.
Police caught up with Emma James and her boyfriend outside the store, where the products were recovered from inside a suitcase.
The second incident is said to have occurred on 27th April – just 3 days later. This time, James stole 3 gin fizzes and a chicken sandwich. She walked straight out of the shop without making any empty to pay. The items were not recovered.
Defending, James’ solicitor said that alcoholism, homelessness and drug use all played a part in her life and that she was vulnerable, especially after an unsuitable previous relationship.
After pleading guilty to theft from a shop, Emma James was given a 6-month community order by Magistrates with a requirement of 10 rehabilitation days. She was ordered to pay £45 costs with a £95 surcharge, as well as compensation to the value of £16.70
A ‘Serial Shoplifter’ – so she was not effectively punished on the 18 previous occasions !!
When will they ever learn (I mean the Justices) ?
Will we ever have an effective legal system which actually deters crime ?
The magistrates on the island are a disgrace, and as bad as the offenders brought before them. They should all be sacked. This woman should be put in stocks for the public to deal with like in the good old days, but the do-gooder idealists would all be up in arms at that!
Only three candles? I thought it was supposed to be four.
Petty crime is a nuisance and costs us all a lot of money. She is obviously not getting the help she needs to turn things around, I wonder if that’s because she refuses to help herself, or none has been offered to her? Being homeless is horrible, she could turn everything around, I hope so.