Woman put dog in pram she used for shoplifting
A BRAZEN thief used a dog in a pram to conceal her stolen booze.
Sonia Little and pal Jamie Crow had targeted a Co-op store the previous day and made off with a selection of steaks, cheese and fabric softener.
But Little’s greed got the better of her and she returned to the same shop 24 hours later to steal wine, this time armed with her dog and a pram as a decoy.
A court heard she selected the booze from a shelf and hid it in the buggy, which was carrying her pet pooch, before trying to leave without paying.
However, the 43-year-old was recognised by staff as the culprit from the day before and the police were called.
Little’s pal Crow, who was outside the shop, was also recognised but became aggressive with a police community support officer while back-up arrived.
North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that Crow shouted abuse at the emergency worker, saying: “F*** off” and “I will boot you in the balls, you daft little b ****** ”.
The pair, who both have “appalling records for theft”, were eventually arrested and appeared in the dock on Wednesday.
Little, of Railway Terrace, North Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of shop theft, while Crow, 30, also of Railway Terrace, pleaded guilty to one shop theft and a public order offence.
Prosecutor James Long said Little and Crow first entered the Co-op store on Bedford Street, North Shields, on March 22.
“They’ve gone in and selected a large quantity of meat, cheese and fabric softener and concealed it in a bag being carried and left the store without paying,” Mr Long said.
“That property has not been recovered.
“Yesterday, Little went back into the same store and concealed a bottle of wine inside a pram she was pushing, which contained her dog, and left the store without making payment.”
The court heard that staff recognised Little and a police community support officer later spotted her and Crow on a street nearby.
The officer knew Crow was also wanted in connection with the first theft so asked her to stay where she was while back-up arrived.
However, Crow refused to comply and began to walk away.
Mr Long added: “She shouted ‘f*** off’ and refused to stop when spoken to.
“As they got near North Shields Metro, Crow shouted, “Get away from us now, I will boot you in the balls, you daft little b ****** ”.” The court heard that both women were arrested soon after.
John Kirkham, for both, said Little was struggling financially since being released from prison in June. He added: “The items were stolen for personal use.”
In relation to Crow, Mr Kirkham said: “She had practical difficulties as she didn’t have a bank account and had to re-establish a claim for benefits after being released from prison.
“She has been told she will receive universal credit but, because she doesn’t have a bank account, she can’t access that money.”
Giving both women a four-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, District Judge Paul Currer said they had “terrible records for theft”.
Little and Crow were also ordered to pay £32 compensation each to the Co-op.