Serial shoplifter jailed after being caught wearing stolen coat

A shoplifter has been jailed after she was caught by police wearing a coat which she had stolen.

Alice Tina Smith, 38 of Berecroft, Harlow, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on April 22 where she was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison having pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft from a shop.

The Harlow Town Centre team launched an investigation after multiple thefts were reported across shops in Harlow town centre over a two month period. The first offence was reported on January 9 when £145 worth of goods were stolen from Asda at Water Gardens.

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Over the next two moths, shoplifting was also reported at the Co-op in Maunds Hatch and Next in the town centre, where a coat was stolen.

Smith was identified as a suspect and was found by officers in Market Square, Harlow in March wearing the coat she had stolen from Next the previous month. She was arrested and charged with seven county of theft from a shop.

She was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison following her guilty plea.