Sunderland shoplifter who targeted MetroCentre stores is jailed

Suzanne Innes and her friend Chelsea Connolly were caught together at the Gateshead complex, South Northumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.

The matter came to light when a bag of removed security tags was found in a cafe area, the court heard.

Staff checked CCTV and were able to track two women visiting a concession selecting clothing, mostly jeans, valued at £809.

They were seen to disappear down a corridor towards a beauty treatment room, before returning without the clothes.

The court heard that similar activity was observed at Next. The two women were also seen on CCTV in the cafe area where the security tags were found.

Innes and Connolly were identified by police officers who viewed the footage, the court heard.

Innes, 30, of Maypole Close, Southwick, and Connolly, 26, formerly of Sunderland and now of Chester-le-Street, both admitted theft on April 3.

The court heard both women were in breach of previous suspended sentences imposed for theft.

Anna Haq, defending both women, said: “Much of their mitigation is similar, they are both former victims of domestic violence, and both have caring responsibilities for parents.

“Ms Connolly is originally from Sunderland, and she had to effectively flee the area to escape from her former partner.

“She also has a small child.”

She added: “Ms Innes has been in employment, although she is currently on the sick with depression.”

The bench jailed Innes for six weeks, and ordered her to pay £404.50 compensation to John Lewis.

Connolly was sentenced to a community order of 12 months, including a curfew of six weeks.

The suspension period of her previous sentence was increased by six months, and she was ordered to pay £404.50 compensation to John Lewis.