Rachael Cole was handed ‘strict conditions that prohibit her behaviour’ (Picture: Hampshire Constabulary/PA Wire)
A woman who went on a crime spree, stealing nearly £1,000 in goods, and on one occasion disguising herself with a wig, has been jailed.
Rachael Cole, 44, of Whitehill in Hampshire, was handed a 36-week prison sentence, inclusive of an activated suspended sentence order, and a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after admitting four counts of theft.
Between November 10 and December 1, the thief stole £964 worth of goods from shops in Hook and Liphook, two villages in Hampshire.
On one occasion, Cole wore a wig to shroud her identity when she pinched seven bags of dog food from Sainsbury’s in Liphook.
As part of her CBO she has been banned from wearing a wig, hairpiece or any face covering that conceals her appearance while entering a shop.
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Cole has also been banned from every Sainsbury’s and Tesco store in the UK, as well as the B&M store in Bordon, near Whitehill.
Cole pictured by CCTV wearing a wig (Picture: Hampshire Constabulary/PA Wire)
The CBO enforces a number of additional conditions on the shoplifter, including ordering her to place any items for purchase in a basket or trolley, and nowhere else, until they are paid for when she enters a shop.
She must also present proof of having the means to pay for goods if requested by a business, the police or street wardens when entering a retail premises in Hampshire and Surrey.
And she must present a receipt as proof of payment if requested.
If asked to leave a shop in Hampshire or Surrey, Cole must do so immediately without the use of aggressive or abusive language and must not return the same day.
East Hampshire inspector Matt Wake said: ‘Cole repeatedly and brazenly steals from local businesses – even going as far as making a poor attempt at disguising herself with a wig to try and deceive police and shop owners.
‘Once she’s served her prison sentence, she will face a number of very strict conditions that prohibit her behaviour.
Cole was handed a 36-week jail sentence, inclusive of an activated suspended sentence order, and a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (Picture: Hampshire Constabulary/PA Wire)
‘If she fails to comply, she will be arrested and brought before the courts once more.
‘Where shoplifting is reported to us, we make every effort to identify and arrest offenders and use other tactics such as applying for CBOs to limit re-offending.
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‘There can be a number of reasons why someone might repeatedly steal.
‘It varies from individual to individual but it can often be driven by addiction issues.
‘Police work closely with local services who can provide support to those with addictions.’
He urged people who witness anti-social behaviour and business crime in East Hampshire to report these to police.
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