Worksop shoplifter's bid to change life praised

A Worksop woman who stole meat and blankets while her benefits were suspended was praised by a court for her determination to turn her life around.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Amy Bainbridge admitted stealing 16 joints of meat from Aldi, on January 11 and 12, and blankets from Matalan, on January 15.

She was challenged by staff at Matalan but fled, only to be identified on CCTV later.

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Rebecca Williams, mitigating, said Bainbridge’s benefits claim had been suspended for four weeks and she couldn’t afford to pay her bills or rent, or even buy food.

“She had no one to turn to so she decided to take the items.”

She said Bainbridge, 38, formerly of Portland Street, had been addicted to heroin since the age of 19, but had successfully completed a rehabilitation course last year.

She still struggled with alcohol, said Ms Williams, but had recently gained a place on a rehab course in Rotherham.

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Magistrates in Mansfield ordered her to pay compensation to the stores of £150, as well as £85 costs.

But they commended her for the efforts she had made to turn her life around.

An application to make her the subject of a criminal behaviour order was adjourned. It will be considered again on March 23.