Shoplifter cut labels off goods in crime spree

A shoplifter went on a crime spree as she stole hundreds of pounds’ worth of goods in five stores after cutting the labels off the items with scissors.

Jodie Elizabeth Watson, 28, targeted clothes, homeware and Christmas decorations as she stole from a series of stores at two retail parks.

Watson appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court, having pleaded guilty to stealing doormats, a table, curtains, Christmas decorations and a sewingmachine bag belonging to Dunelm at Pontarddulais Road Retail Park worth £439.46 on November 28 last year.

On the same day she also admitted stealing socks, oils, a candle, a melt warmer and fragrance diffuser from Homesense at Fforestfach Retail Park worth £61.96 and bras and jeans from H&M.

Watson, from Pensalem Road, Penlan, also pleaded guilty to taking several cosmetic items from Poundworld worth £60, and dog leads, collars and jumpers from Pets at Home worth £63 at Pontarddulais Road Retail Park.

When caught by police she was found with two pairs of scissors and a sharp-pointed razor tool. She admitted three further offences of possessing a knife, blade, or sharp-pointed article in a public place.

The court heard Watson had nine previous convictions, one of which was for possessing a hunting knife.

Mitigating, Andrew Evans said: “She was in the throes of an addiction to valium and amphetamine.

“It was the lowest point of her life.”

Watson was given a six-month jail sentence and must pay £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.