Shoplifter arrested within minutes after stealing £45 bottle of perfume from Debenhams in The Bridges

Danielle Sawyer, 33, was stopped at the exit of Debenhams at the Bridges shopping centre with the Alien brand at 11.30am on Saturday, December 21, a court heard.

Within 12 minutes police were on scene and eight minutes later Sawyer, of Tadcaster Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland, had been sent on her way with the promise of a later day in court.

The fast-acting police were commended by Gerry Armstrong, Sawyer’s defence solicitor, who said they must have been keen to beat crime that day.

He told magistrates in South Tyneside: “It shows the remarkable ability of Sunderland’s police to act with great speed to combat crime at Debenhams.

“She was seen by staff at 11.30am on CCTV, she picked up one item and is noticed, and security notified immediately. She leaves the shop and is detained.

“She is detained by these officers of the law at 11.42. They must walk straight from the Waterloo Place police station and to the Bridges. It’s speedy justice.

“The only thing that was delayed was the summons in getting her to court.

“She was struggling with money and she was trying to budget. It’s not that she took six items, she took one as a present.”

Prosecutor Lee Poppett told the court: “This is an incident that dates back a little time.

“Ms Sawyer entered the store pushing a pushchair. She is known to staff.

“She had selected a bottle of Alien perfume and placed it on the hood of the buggy and then she walked around and placed it in the buggy and left the store.

“Security staff stop her outside. When interviewed, she provided an account and said that she had entered the store and had left without paying.”

The court heard Sawyer, who pleaded guilty to theft, had 28 previous convictions, including 21 for theft.

She was given a six-month conditional discharge and must pay £45 court costs and a £21 victim surcharge.

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