Two mums who nabbed thousands of pounds worth of garb in a thieving spree at Zara have dodged prison. Tracey Lamb, 47, and Joanna Braker, 46, repeatedly hit the shop at Touchwood in Solihull, purloining a hefty sum. The duo, notorious for prior pilfering, conspired with Rachel Edwards, 54, who cunningly used an unoccupied pushchair as a ploy.
The Leicestershire trio filched clothing totalling £4,867.27 amongst them. Lamb from Dalby Avenue, Bushby, copped to three thefts and one attempted heist; Braker from Western Road, Leicester, owned up to two larcenies and a botched theft, reports Birmingham Live. At Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday (May 27), both were handed 30 weeks suspended for 21 months coupled with a mandate for 20 days rehab.
Edwards had been previously handed a 26-week stretched sentence for equivalent crimes. Recorder Luke Blackburn did not mince words, remarking: “You both saw the shops you stole from as an easy target. Easy money. Dishonest money. But that didn’t bother you much.” Blackburn noted their parental status, adding, “What it also means is I know your children are old enough to understand their mothers are thieves. You should consider the significance of that.”
In a brazen heist, Braker, Lamb and Edwards swiped clothes worth £1,992.20 from Zara on June 20, only to be nabbed less than an hour later as they attempted another grab of items totalling £763.76. Security caught Lamb loitering by the exit while Edwards was discovered in the changing room with her empty pram. Braker was apprehended elsewhere in the shop.
Prosecutor Molly Keenan revealed: “Prior to this the shop was aware these individuals had been stealing on previous occasions.” The trio had previously pilfered clothing valued at £558.79 on May 30, and Lamb and Edwards were implicated in a separate theft of £1,552.52 on June 7.
Defence lawyer Michael Aspinall, representing Lamb, explained that she succumbed to acting as a ‘lookout’ for £100 due to financial woes post-breakup. He informed the court that Lamb, now diagnosed with ADHD, has turned a new leaf by launching a reflexology venture.
Aspinall highlighted Lamb’s remorse, saying: “She hasn’t had the courage to tell her daughter she might not be coming back today.” He emphasised her entrepreneurial success: “Her business also would fail. She has many clients. She has been developing the business over social media and it has been going from strength to strength.”
Exdol Mitchell, defending Braker, told of her plight, losing her home and resorting to stay in a subpar hotel. He stated: “She bitterly regrets having been involved in this situation. She has turned her life around. She’s in full-time employment. She doesn’t earn a substantial wage.
“She works in a care home assisting the residents, primarily as a cleaner, doing their shopping and various other chores. It is a job she has come to enjoy. Her employers put significant trust in her.” Recorder Blackburn stated the court had exhausted all avenues with the pair, yet nothing seemed to deter them from committing theft. Nevertheless, taking into account their age, domestic circumstances, and periods of non-offending, he decided to consider alternatives to immediate custody.