Serial South Shields shoplifter caught on camera is ordered to repay Sainsbury's for stolen goods
South Shields woman caught on camera stealing food from a supermarket admitted her offence when presented with the CCTV images, a court was told.
A serial thief who pinched food from a South Tyneside branch of Sainsburys but was caught on camera has been ordered to compensate the retailer in full.
Amanda Liddle, 41, was not in court to hear the ruling made against her by magistrates who found the allegation of theft proved in her absence.
They heard Liddle, of Beach Road, South Shields stole stock valued at £67.40 from the retailer’s outlet in Stanhope Road, near the West Park.
The offender, who has 12 previous convictions from 59 offences, 40 of which are theft matters, did so on Monday, June 15.
Liddle made off with items which included a baguette, lamb, ham slices and packs of mince, but she was caught on CCTV, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
She was identified by staff who later checked the footage and recognised her from previous offending at the same outlet.
Magistrates have now ordered her to pay the full amount back to Sainsburys in compensation for the items taken.
Prosecutor Syed Ali said: “One statement is from the customer and trading manager who states that she viewed CCTV footage which shows the defendant concealing meat in a bag.
“There was beef mince, priced at £5.25, three lamb necks, at £18.75, and five honey ham slices, at £2.28. In total, the items taken come to £67.40.
“Staff were able to recognise the defendant from previous shoplifting offences.
“In interview, the defendant was shown CCTV footage and she admitted to the offence, she admitted that it was her shoplifting.
“That’s a clear admission. This is the prosecution case.”
Alastair Naismith, defending, did not reveal why Liddle was not in court and said it was up to magistrates to find the case against her proven, which they did without hesitation.
Mr Naismith then told them: “I would invite you to deal with this by way of a compensation order.”
The court heard Liddle was last before a court also in June for a matter that was not disclosed and owes £3,574 from past offending matters.
Magistrates did not impose court costs or a victim surcharge.