A thief in the UK stuffed her pants with soft toys (5 photos + 1 video)
Category: Interesting photo stories, PEGI 0+
Today, 04:11
Samantha Lawrence robbed shops for two days in a row. The British woman stole soft toys, hiding them in trousers and bags. She took away Jellycat products worth about £1,000 and was fined. 
On June 7, the 38-year-old stole toys worth about £650 from St Peter’s Garden in Worcester, and on June 8, she stole almost £300 worth of toys from a shop in Evesham.
CCTV captured Lawrence frantically stuffing items into bags and trousers and running out of the store. She even tried to stuff a huge bag containing a rabbit into her waistband.
The thief was quickly identified from footage. When police arrived at her home in Norton, Evesham, they found hundreds of stolen toys. In total, Lawrence stole goods worth £948.28.
Lauren Millichip, prosecuting, told Worcester Magistrates Court: "Officers went to her home and found a large quantity of Jellycat products. Some of which she said she had bought herself. Laurence admitted going into the shops with the intention of stealing."
Barrister Chris Aggrey said footage of the theft had gone viral online and had had a negative impact on her client's mental health. She is now taking medication for anxiety.
He said: "She was subjected to social media bullying which had a significant impact on her mental health. She has learnt her lesson and is deeply remorseful."
Lawrence admitted three thefts. She was ordered to pay damages to the shops and a £120 fine.
Judge Caroline Taylor said: "We have listened carefully to all the arguments. This is a really serious situation. You have intentionally stolen, twice. These are significant amounts of money."
The manager of St Peter's Garden said they checked CCTV footage after the alarm went off.
Jamie Armstrong explained: "We first saw her putting one or two small toys down her trousers. But she quickly got into the swing of it. She walked out of our shop looking like she was eight months pregnant. We're a small centre, not a big chain, and we don't have a lot of resources to spend on security. That's probably why we're a target."
Jellycat toys have become incredibly popular in recent years. Rare and out-of-stock models sell for hundreds of pounds, which is what attracts thieves.
According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 469,788 shoplifting incidents in England and Wales last year.
