Woman, 55, sentenced for series of shopliftings in East Hampshire

A 55 year-old woman has been sentenced for a series of shoplifting offences from stores in Liphook, Petersfield and West Meon, which took place between August and December last year.

Janine Hamm, of Robinson Way, Bordon, was arrested at her home by officers on Sunday 28 January.

She was subsequently charged with shoplifting a total of over £660 worth of food and other items from the following stores:

• £30 of items from Meon Hut Garage in West Meon on 16 August
• £32.50 of food from BP in Winchester Road, Petersfield on 28 August
• £78.60 (and items of an unknown value) from Sainsbury’s in Midhurst Road, Liphook on 28 August, 8 September and 15 November
• £254.85 of food and other items from The Co-op in Headley Road, Liphook on 28 August, 3, 5 and 13 September, and 29 November
• £266 of items from Boots Pharmacy on High Street, Petersfield on 12 December

She appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Monday 29 January and was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks imprisonment, with the judge commenting that only a custodial sentence could be justified because of her “flagrant disregard for court orders”.

Sergeant Noel Griffiths of the Longmoor Prevent & Neighbourhoods teams said

“This is a great result, not only for the hard work that has been put in by our officers, but also for the businesses in East Hampshire that have been repeatedly targeted by Hamm.

“We hope that this result demonstrates to businesses that we take shoplifting seriously. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and we know this type of offending has an impact on business owners, shoppers, and local residents and we hope this sends a clear message to shoplifters that we will work tirelessly to prosecute you.

“Please continue to report incidents of shoplifting to us to help us build a stronger picture of prolific offenders and hot-spot areas for crime.”