Ex-barmaid skips bail after thefts
AFORMER barmaid who was struggling to survive without her benefit payments was caught redhanded stealing food and cosmetics from two shops, a court heard.
Donna Louise Monks, of Walnut Street, Bacup, stole £53.76 worth of meat from The Coop store in Whitworth and then £60 worth of cosmetics from a Superdrug store less than two weeks later.
On both occasions the mum-of-two was being monitored by security staff and was immediately apprehended upon leaving the stores, Burnley Magistrates Court heard.
Charlotte Crane, prosecuting, told the court how Monks entered the Whitworth Coop store on April 27, selected eight items of meat and then left without paying.
She said: “Little did [Monks] know that she was being monitored and watched at that time.
“She was apprehended outside by staff and they waited with her until police officers arrive. She made full and frank admission at the scene.”
Monks, 39, then went into the Superdrug store at Manchester Arndale Centre on May 10 with a foil-lined bag and a pair of pliers.
The court heard how she was also being monitored on CCTV cameras and apprehended by staff.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of shoplifting.
Janet Sime, defending, said she had finished working as a barmaid and was struggling without her benefit payments.
She told the court: “Her family credit and benefits were not in place and she found herself without any income at all.
“She has had histori- cally a drug problem but her record is now clear and she is receiving a methadone prescription.
“She has arranged to relocate to the Kent area to live near to her brother who can help and support her from now on.
“She is still struggling with her benefits. She had a barmaid job for a number of weeks which was paid cash in hand but that has now ended.
“All she is getting at the moment is child benefits. She has enough to manage on and won’t commit any further offences but she needs to resolve her benefits issues.”
Monks was due to be sentenced on September 26 following the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service but failed to turn up at court. A warrant was issued for her arrest.