Legal News
Suspended sentence for shoplifter driven to crime by the boredom of old age (29 January 2014)
Date: 29/01/2014
A 76-year-old woman has told a court in North Staffordshire that she went on a shoplifting spree to ease the boredom of being old.
Jane Humphreys from Crewe told JPs sitting at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre that she lived alone and travelling free using her bus pass and shoplifting goods using her shopping trolley helped her “fill her time”.
Mrs Humphreys has seven children but is only in contact with one, who lives above her home.
She travelled up to 100 miles from home using her free bus pass to carry out shoplifting raids. Her crime spree lasted between 2011 and 2014. She had been convicted for shoplifting in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was caught again in January.
The mother of seven pleaded guilty to stealing from four shops in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire on a single day and was given a one-month suspended sentence by the court, after JPs heard that Mrs Humphreys is suffering from breast cancer and osteoarthritis.
The court also revoked a previous community order imposed for shoplifting and ordered Mrs Humphreys to pay £45 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
In a pre-Christmas spree, Mrs Humphreys stole coffee, confectionery and alcohol totalling £30.42 from Aldi – plus two pairs of boots worth £94.50.
In January, she stole baby clothes worth £69 from BHS, as well as baby clothes from B&M worth £24.98. She also stole a breast pump from Boots –
and sweets worth £2 from Iceland.
Mrs Humphrey’s defence lawyer told the court that his client did not want to go to prison – and wanted to stop shoplifting.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors
Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of criminal solicitors and can advise at any stage of a criminal charge, including charges for theft, burglary, receiving stolen goods or handling stolen goods and shoplifting offences.
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers regularly visit police stations, courts and prisons and the crime team is available 24/7.
For expert legal advice on criminal law or representation, contact Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 020 7923 4020.
For urgent criminal law advice or representation for questioning under caution at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.