Mansfield woman stole purse from pub because she was 'bullied into it' by another woman

Elouise Ball stole the purse containing bank cards, cash and a driving licence from the Nag’s Head pub in Clay Cross on January 18 and passed it onto the woman, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Monday, September 7.

Prosecuting, Katie Hamill said that two days later, Ball had got involved in a row with the woman and stormed out of the hostel with a knife, threatening to harm herself.

The victim was alerted to the cards being used illegally, and they were stopped, but six further attempts were made to use them, records show.

Ball, 22, now of Talbot Street, Mansfield, admitted theft and carrying a knife in a public place when she appeared before the court.

Mitigating, Deborah Bell said that Ball had a long history of abuse, from her mother and grandmother’s partner, which was why she had been forced to move to the hostel. She said she is also now involved in an abusive relationship.

“She was being pressured to go out shoplifting by another lady who was also resident at the hostel,” she said. “She saw the purse on the table and took it out of panic, but immediately handed it over.”

Magistrates gave her a 12-month community order to include a six-month alcohol treatment programme and 12 rehabilitation activity days.

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