Published: 04/09/2010 08:43 -
Updated: 03/09/2010 16:00
A ‘PRACTICED thief' stalked and targeted two elderly ladies shopping in Stevenage, stealing a purse from one and slashing the other's trolley with a Stanley knife in a bid to steal from her, a court has heard.
Carol Thomas, 43, from Walthamstow, east London, visited Stevenage on June 12, having apparently put a life of drug addiction and crime behind her.
Judge Geoffrey Breen, jailing her for two years on Thursday, said it was unexplained why she had committed the offences.
He told her at Luton Crown Court: "You targeted the most vulnerable members of the community, utterly without mercy and gave no thought to the effect your actions might have.
"Elderly people have enough difficulties and something like this can often affect them profoundly.
"The lady who had her purse stolen was very upset. She was left with just £1.88 for a week. She could not believe how quickly you acted, but you are a practiced thief with an appalling record."
Michael Speak, prosecuting said police were first called to Poundland in Stevenage, where an 88-year-old woman had realised her shopping trolley had been cut open. Nothing was missing.
But the CCTV footage was viewed and showed Thomas stalking the shopper up and down the aisles. She used a Stanley knife to slit the bag open.
Twenty minutes later, police were called to Tesco, where an elderly lady had discovered her purse missing. She was especially concerned as she had her bank card in the purse along with the PIN written down because she had trouble remembering it.
She had been aware of a woman standing uncomfortably close to her at one stage and bumping into her.
The defendant was arrested shortly after having made a withdrawal of cash almost immediately.
Thomas pleaded guilty to theft, attempted theft, possession of a bladed article and fraud.
Clara McElvogue, defending, said: "She accepts her behaviour was entirely disgraceful and disgusting."
She said Thomas, who is four months pregnant, had been addicted to crack cocaine since she was a teenager, but had got free from drugs and had been working well on a community order.
"She had really turned a corner and was trying to make a better life for her and her 14-year-old son," said the barrister.
Judge Geoffrey Breen, jailing her for two years on Thursday, said it was unexplained why she had committed the offences.
He told her at Luton Crown Court: "You targeted the most vulnerable members of the community, utterly without mercy and gave no thought to the effect your actions might have.
"Elderly people have enough difficulties and something like this can often affect them profoundly.
"The lady who had her purse stolen was very upset. She was left with just £1.88 for a week. She could not believe how quickly you acted, but you are a practiced thief with an appalling record."
Michael Speak, prosecuting said police were first called to Poundland in Stevenage, where an 88-year-old woman had realised her shopping trolley had been cut open. Nothing was missing.
But the CCTV footage was viewed and showed Thomas stalking the shopper up and down the aisles. She used a Stanley knife to slit the bag open.
Twenty minutes later, police were called to Tesco, where an elderly lady had discovered her purse missing. She was especially concerned as she had her bank card in the purse along with the PIN written down because she had trouble remembering it.
She had been aware of a woman standing uncomfortably close to her at one stage and bumping into her.
The defendant was arrested shortly after having made a withdrawal of cash almost immediately.
Thomas pleaded guilty to theft, attempted theft, possession of a bladed article and fraud.
Clara McElvogue, defending, said: "She accepts her behaviour was entirely disgraceful and disgusting."
She said Thomas, who is four months pregnant, had been addicted to crack cocaine since she was a teenager, but had got free from drugs and had been working well on a community order.
"She had really turned a corner and was trying to make a better life for her and her 14-year-old son," said the barrister.
HEADLINES
NATIONAL NEWS
LEISURE & LIFESTYLE
The Advertiser Group provides all the latest local news from Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock.
Find information on Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire events,
including movie reviews,
and computer game reviews and search our events guide.
Read the latest top stories from around your local area in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Catch up with the latest news 24/7 from The Advertiser Group, national headlines and national sport.
Look through the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire jobs sections to see the latest vacancies and visit our property section with homes for sale and rent.
Even when you are away on business or holiday, stay up to date with local news stories and what's on in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
You can read the latest business news,
education news, health news,
and fashion features
as well as the latest on homes and gardens.
