A STORE detective was dragged along a shopping centre car park while trying to apprehend a fleeing shoplifter.

He gave chase when Louise Ann Stabler left Boots at the Arnison Centre, Durham, without paying for a basketful of cosmetics, containing items worth more than £1,000.

Durham Crown Court heard she got into the front passenger seat of a waiting Renault Clio, driven by her partner, at the time, Kevin Ross Oliver.

Matthew Bean, prosecuting, said the store detective tried to retrieve the basket from Stabler, who kept hold as the car began pulling away.

But as the struggle went on, his foot caught under the front seat and he was dragged along, as Stabler instructed Oliver, to “keep driving”.

“The security man had one foot outside the car and the other trapped under the seat,” said Mr Bean.

“Fortunately, as the car’s speed began to increase, his foot came loose.

“He fell to the ground, hitting his head, causing a cut which required hospital treatment.”

Mr Bean said the detective was treated for cuts to the head, knee and hands, plus ligament damage to his wrists.

Although the car drove off, Stabler and Oliver were arrested later that night, on June 12, but none of the stolen cosmetics were recovered.

Oliver initially claimed he had permission to drive the car, but it emerged it belonged to his mother, who had forbidden him from using it, said Mr Bean.

Stabler said she had taken a number of tablets affecting her memory of events, but told police the security officer was, “a stupid t**t, hanging on to the car, being the hero.”

She claimed that she thought the basket containing the stolen cosmetics was handed to the store detective.

Both Stabler, 26, of Shinwell Crescent, Thornley, and 34-year-old Oliver, of Philpott Lane, Blackhall Colliery, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and theft at an earlier hearing.

Oliver also admitted driving without insurance.

The court heard Stabler’s 43 previous convictions include 18 for theft.

Scott Smith, for Stabler, said her problems stem from her long-term heroin abuse, but while remanded in Low Newton Women’s Prison, in recent weeks, she has begun engaging with the drug treatment service available.

Stephen Constantine, for Oliver, said he, too, has had a drug problem, but, unlike his former partner, has few previous convictions.

Judge Robert Adams said it was “thankful” that the security officer’s injuries were not more serious.

Both defendants were given ten month prison sentences, suspended for two years, with probation supervision for the first 12 months, to include drug treatment requirement.

Oliver, who hopes to take up a job offer next month, was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the security officer.