Mansfield woman left with £50 per month to live on went shoplifting

A Mansfield woman who is left with £50 per month to live on after paying rent and court fines was caught stealing to buy food, a court heard.
Tesco Extra, on Jubilee Way SouthTesco Extra, on Jubilee Way South
Tesco Extra, on Jubilee Way South

Lindsey Bowen stole £68 of meat from Tesco Extra, on June 5, and was detained when she left the store with £170 of razor blades, in a foil-lined bag, the next day.

Prosecutor Daniel Pietryka said she told police she stole the goods to sell them for food.

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Probation officer Sarah Todd said Bowen was on a community order, imposed on April 25, for theft, and on post-sentence supervision which will expire in July.

David Grant, mitigating, said: "She has a serious problem with her finances. She needs help rather than anything else.

"Her drugs problem is being handled with methadone."

He said she receives £500 in Universal Credit, and pays £348 per month for a single room in a shared house, and was only left with £50 to live on every month.

Bowen, 39, of Bentinck Street, admitted two counts of theft and one of going equipped for theft, when she appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Friday.

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She was given an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, because she had been engaging.

She was ordered to pay £68 compensation to Tesco, which will be added the £548 she owes in court fines.

No costs were awarded because of her means.

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