Woman Sentenced For Handbag Theft

Published on: 23 Oct, 2013
Updated on: 26 Oct, 2013

The Horsley hairdressers where the handbag theft took place – Photo Victoria Lazarevic

A woman has been sentenced to 12 weeks’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing a handbag from a hairdressing salon in East Horsley in June.

Jane Doe, 50, of Turnham Close, Guildford, was sentenced when she appeared at South West Surrey Magistrate’s Court in Guildford last Thursday (October 17).

The theft took place between 9-20 and 9-40am on June 14 when Doe gained access to the staff area of Headquarters Hair Care in Station Parade after asking to use the toilet. She then removed a handbag, containing a purse, cards and cash which belonged to a member of staff.

She also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to stop after an accident following two separate incidents, both of which also took place on 14 June. On the first occasion, she was driving along the A3100 Old Portsmouth Road around 8-20am when her car was in collision with a blue Peugeot 207 and she drove off without exchanging details.

She was involved in a similar incident around an hour later whilst driving along Epsom Road in West Horsley when she again failed to swop details after driving into the back of a red BMW.

PC Stephen Bosel, who investigated the incident, said: “The fact that Doe received a prison sentence when she appeared in court last week sends a clear message that any crimes which impact on our local communities will not be tolerated. Doe brazenly walked out with a handbag which did not belong to her after gaining the trust of the staff in the salon, which would have caused the victim considerable distress and inconvenience.

“Earlier in the day, not only had her careless driving caused considerable damage to two cars but she also failed to stop, which again would have caused a great deal of inconvenience for the drivers.

“The fact that we pursued Doe for these offences demonstrates our commitment to the relentless pursuit of offenders and keeping our local communities safe.”