A notorious thief who flaunted stolen goods on social media has finally been locked up. Emma Nicholas, 36, was sentenced to eight months behind bars at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 21 April.
The Crime Spree Uncovered
Nicholas ran a daring shoplifting spree between 25 January and 22 February, hitting several stores across Lymington and Portsmouth. Her haul included:
- An antique clock worth £1,200 nicked from Dials Antique Clocks on Quay Hill, Lymington.
- A £200 hair appliance stolen from Jack & The Wolfe on Quay Hill.
- Multiple handbags worth a total of £1,260 stolen from Stanwells Ltd on Lymington High Street.
- A wallet stolen from Costa Coffee on Lymington High Street, with fraudulent card use following.
Violence and Fraud Add to the Charges
During a shoplifting incident at The White Stuff on Lymington High Street, a member of staff in her 40s was assaulted, landing Nicholas an assault causing actual bodily harm charge. She was also charged with fraud related to the misuse of cards stolen from the wallet at Costa Coffee.
Captured on CCTV, Locked Up for Theft
Police identified Nicholas via CCTV footage from the various crimes. The evidence was enough to convict her on seven counts of theft, one fraud count, and one assault charge.
Emma Nicholas was handed a total jail term of eight months, finally putting an end to her brazen crime spree.
