Herefordshire pensioner could not explain why she stole from shop

Yvonne Probert admitted one count of theft from a shop when she appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

The 69-year-old had entered a shop in Hereford on December 7, placing various grocery items worth £25 in a large bag, but only paying at the till for a kitchen roll and an energy drink, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

CCTV at the shop showed Probert, who was a regular customer, taking the items, and police were called.

In interview pensioner Probert, who was previously convicted of shoplifting in 2021, made full admissions and was entirely cooperative, saying she was sorry for what she had done.

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Chris Read, for Probert, said it was a simple matter on the one hand.

"She has accepted going into the shop and stealing," he said.

"But when you dig a little bit deeper, it is not simple. She told police she had money in the bank to pay for the goods, and she struggles to understand why she does these things. She has gone to the doctor, who was sufficiently concerned that he has referred her to Herefordshire Healthy Minds. Those concerns are being addressed and she has weekly contact with them, which she finds beneficial."

Probert, who is of St David's Rise, Little Dewchurch, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay compensation of £25, costs of £135, and a £22 victim surcharge.