Two County Durham thieves have been fined after stealing Easter eggs from shops in the region over the last few months.
The thieves, who are from Chester-le-Street and Crook, appeared in court this month charged with theft of Easter eggs, among other things, and have now been named, shamed and fined in court as a result.
Danielle Rochford, 36, of 20 Cotswold Avenue, Chester-le-Street, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Monday, March 18, 2024, facing multiple charges of theft from a shop, including the theft involving Easter eggs.
She stole £96 worth of confectionary items from Sainsbury's in Durham on Monday, December 11, 2023, £112 worth of Easter eggs from Tesco, Market Place, Durham on Monday, January 15, 2024, and £347 worth of Tommy Hilfiger clothing from Pets and Pony, Dragonville, Durham, on Thursday, October 5, 2023.
Rochford pleaded guilty to all three charges.
The court ordered her to complete a community order and drug rehabilitation program.
She was also ordered to pay compensation totalling £555.
Stuart Harrison, 36, of Langdale Avenue, Crook, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 8, 2024, facing various charges, which also included stealing Easter eggs.
He pleaded guilty to failing to answer to court/police bail as soon as practicable on Monday, February 19, 2024, and was sentenced to two weeks in prison.
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Harrison also pleaded guilty to two offences of theft from a shop on Saturday, February 4, 2023, and Thursday, February 1, 2024, where he stole £40 worth of Easter eggs from Heron Foods Limited and £20 worth of cleaning products from Ratnam's Convenience Store respectively.
For these offences, he was ordered to pay compensation and was sentenced to a total custodial sentence of 18 weeks.
In addition, Harrison pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police/court bail at the appointed time on Monday, February 19, 2024.
For this offence, he was sentenced to another two weeks in prison.
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