Brazen shoplifter tried to flee Sunderland Sainsbury's store with trolley filled with £159 of goods

Magistrates were told that Kelly Bolam, 41, loaded up the trolley with £159 of goods at the Sainsbury’s store in Riverside Road, Sunderland, at around 3.15pm on Saturday, February 20.

But her every step was being monitored by an employee, who nabbed her as she bypassed the checkout and stepped outside.

The case of shop theft against Bolam, of Morgan Street, Southwick, Sunderland, was proven in her absence by magistrates in South Tyneside.

The magistrates fined her £60, and also ordered that she must pay £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

The court was told that Bolam admitted the offence when interviewed by police and they found her guilty after hearing that the security guard had watched her fill the trolley with items and walk past the tills without paying.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told the court: “It’s a low value shop theft, to the value of £159.57.

“I would invite you to find the matter proven in absence, based on a statement by [the Sainsbury’s employee].

“He said, ‘I saw a female who I believe to be Kelly Bolam, entering the shop.

“I monitored her, and she went to the aisles and started to fill a trolley with items.

“She left the store without making any attempt to pay. I detained her and contacted the police.”

Ms Duffy said the items were recovered by Sainsbury’s.

And she added: “The defendant did admit the offence when interviewed.”

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