Woman fined for shoplifting spree after drug relapse

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 07:03 · Archive

Laura O'Shea stole £350 of alcohol, meat and fish from supermarkets in south Cumbria after a lapse in her substance misuse recovery.

Laura O'Shea, 46, of Argyle Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court. She was captured on CCTV placing four bottles of whiskey into a rucksack on 2 May at Booths in Ulverston. The alcohol was valued at £284. The following month, on 13 June, O'Shea stole £66.75 worth of meat and fish products from the Co-Op on Abbey Road, leaving without attempting to pay.

In mitigation, her solicitor Michael Graham said she had a substance misuse problem spanning 20 years and had experienced a relapse during the period in question. He noted she is now on a methadone prescription. Magistrates imposed a fine of £240 and ordered O'Shea to pay combined compensation of £208.75 to both Booths and the Co-Op.

How it is being reported

• Shoplifter blamed drug relapse after stealing £350 of alcohol, meat and fishA WOMAN with a substance misuse problem for 20 years ‘fell off the wagon’ after she was caught stealing alcohol and food products from supermarkets in south Cumbria, a court heard.NW Evening Mail · 14 Oct, 06:00
• Shoplifter blamed drug relapse after stealing £350 of alcohol, meat and fishA WOMAN with a substance misuse problem for 20 years ‘fell off the wagon’ after she was caught stealing alcohol and food products from supermarkets in south Cumbria, a court heard.Westmorland Gazette · 14 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Laura O'Shea · South Cumbria Magistrates' Court · Booths · Co-Op · Ulverston · Barrow

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