'˜Stressed' mother who stole £119 of groceries plans new life in Egypt
Tracy Gordon, 50, paid for £10 of items at Morrisons in Horndean but had stashed away her haul.
Shop workers spotted her in action and apprehended her – prompting an immediate admission.
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Hide AdPortsmouth Magistrates’ court heard how Gordon, of Leominster Road, Paulsgrove, has a history of shoplifting but only when ‘stressed’.
Her mother had died before the theft on January 18, her lawyer said.
Gordon told Graham Hopley, mitigating: ‘I can’t explain why I do it.’
Magistrates yesterday imposed a community order with 7pm-7am curfew, ending on March 7.
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Hide AdMr Hopley asked for a short curfew in punishment as Gordon, who has four grown-up children, plans to start afresh in Egypt – with her flight booked for March 13.
‘She is already planning to move to Egypt,’ Mr Hopley said.
‘She’s going to Egypt for six months and will sort out a place to live.
‘It wasn’t her intention when she went into the store to steal.’
Gordon still has £1,600 in court fines and charges owing to the court.
Bailiffs are already on her case for £580 of the debt, the court heard.
Mr Hopley added: ‘She knows it was a very stupid thing to do.’