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Shoplifting mum didn’t know why she did it
A MUM, caught stealing a computer game and DVD from a South Tyneside supermarket, said she has no idea why she took them – and would have just thrown them away.
Angela Duncan was stopped by security guards outside Asda in South Shields, after they saw her hide the items in a carrier bag and leave without paying.
The 57-year-old admitted to taking them, but couldn’t explain why she had done it.
Duncan, of Moreland Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to theft at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Rachel Dodsworth, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was seen in the DVD aisle looking at the products.
“Security staff saw her pick up something and put it in a carrier bag she had in her trolley.
“Another member of staff then followed her, and saw her remove a security tag from an Xbox game and put that in the bag.”
Miss Dodsworth told magistrates that Duncan then went to the checkout to pay for some items, but left the DVD and game in the carrier bag.
She added: “She was stopped outside and the goods, worth £20, were found on her. She said she didn’t need them, and when she got home she would have put them in the bin.”
The court heard that Duncan was already on a six-month conditional discharge for shoplifting in October.
Rachel Gedney, defending, said: “There is very little explanation for her behaviour on the day in question.
“Up until recently, she lived a crime-free, entirely respectable life.
“She has now had two convictions, and accepts she has a problem but has no idea why she’s acting like this.
“She lost her husband, and since then her mental health has deteriorated and she thinks it must be something to do with her grief.”
Magistrates gave Duncan a six-month community order with supervision.
Twitter: @ShieldsGazCrime
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Weather for Jarrow
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
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