Brazen thief who stuffed £650 of Jellycats down TROUSERS avoids jail… after moaning about online abuse from viral clip
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A BRAZEN thief who was filmed stuffing a £650 Jellycat haul down her trousers has avoided jail after moaning about online abuse because the clip went viral.
Samantha Lawrence stuffed a "significant amount" of the trendy plushies from St Peter's Garden Centre, Worcester, into her trousers and bags.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
Samantha Lawrence, 38, was caught on CCTV pinching the toys from a garden centre
Credit: CCTV
6
She stuffed £650 of Jellycats down her trousers
Credit: CCTV
6
Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material
Credit: AFP
The 38-year-old was caught on CCTV, helping herself to the incredibly popular soft toys from the shelves on June 7 this year.
As she snatched the toys - worth £655 - she put them in shopping bags and crammed them down her trousers.
The next day she struck The Valley shopping centre in Evesham, where she pinched Jellycats worth £121.
She later returned to the same shopping centre where she stole a further £170 worth of the toys.
The court heard that the footage of Lawrence's Jellycat-snatching went viral online which caused her "mental health to suffer".
Chris Aggri, defending, said she was on a cocktail of medication for her anxiety.
He added: "She has been targeted on social media and her mental health has suffered as a result.
"She has learned her lesson and is deeply remorseful."
Lawrence was recognised by the CCTV and police swooped on her home in Norton, Evesham, where officers found hundreds of stolen Jellycats.
She admitted three counts of theft when she appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court on Friday.
'B----, I'LL KILL YOU' Chilling rise of Jellycat gangs - how toys sparked crimewave where KIDS are used as cover & scammers terrorise families
Prosecutor Lauren Millichip told the court Lawrence had stolen Jellycats worth a total of £948.28.
She said: "Officers attended her address and found a quantity of Jellycats, some of these she said she had bought.
"She told officers she had gone into the stores with the intention of stealing the Jellycats."
Lawrence was ordered to pay compensation to the shops she stole from and fined £120 with a £48 victim surcharge.
Chair of the bench, Caroline Taylor, said: "We've listened to what's been said.
"The matters are serious, you have deliberately targeted the stores, one on two separate occasions.
"They are not insignificant amounts of money.
"You will pay compensation of £657.79 to St Peter's and £292.49 to The Valley.
"We've taken into account your guilty plea, so a fine of £180 has been reduced to £120 due to that guilty plea.
"You will also pay a £48 victim surcharge."
The court heard Lawrence was already working with the probation service and magistrates said they expected this to continue.
Speaking at the time of the thefts, William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: "We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock was stolen from our store.
"As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hard-working team behind the scenes.
"Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of."
Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material.
Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity.
As a result, there has been a major toy-snatching crime wave sweeping the UK - and fakes cropping up left right and centre.
In April, The Gorge Bear Company in Cheddar, Somerset, was brutally ram-raided by at least two thieves.
They stole £20,000 worth of Jellycat soft toys in a bizarre night-time raid.
This comes amid fears that organised groups of shoplifters are targeting Jellycat soft toys in order to resell them online for as much as £2,400.
And when Labubu toys also went viral, criminals began to target them too.
Toy owners have reported their keyrings being taken from their bags as they walk, and even their car windows being smashed in so thieves can get access to the plushies.
6
Shops have been targeted by thieves wanting to steal the fluffy stock
Credit: Jam Press/Gorge Bear Company
6
Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity
Credit: Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Bounty of $5m placed on warlord ‘Barbecue' who rules world's most dangerous city with super-gang who burn people alive
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MULTI-million dollar bounty has been placed on the head of a warlord who rules over one of the world's most dangerous cities. American prosecutors are offering $5 million for information leading to the arrest of a Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier - better known as "Barbecue". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Former police officer Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier Credit: Reuters 7 Armed gang members question locals in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince 7 Violence in Port-au-Prince has reached unprecedented levels and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been caught in the crossfires 7 The entire capital has been burning amid the civil crisis 7 Thousands of civilians are believed to have been caught in the brutal crossfire Credit: AP The vicious warlord has overseen bloody chaos in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, which now often resembles a battlefield. Thousands of civilians are believed to have been caught in the brutal crossfire. There have even been reports of rotting bodies littering the streets of the city as lawlessness runs amok. Cherizier, a former Haitian cop, now leads a gang alliance called Viv Ansanm. read more in world news PEACE PLOT Trump & Putin 'plan West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine' to secure truce This group stands accused of numerous atrocities including murders and kidnappings across the lawless capital. The US if offering a $5 million (£3.7 million) reward for information that leads to Cherizier's arrest. "There's a good reason that there's a $5 million reward for information leading to Cherizier's arrest," US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said. "He's a gang leader responsible for heinous human rights abuses, including violence against American citizens in Haiti." The indictment alleges that he and US citizen Bazile Richardson solicited funds from the Haitian diaspora in the United States. This money was then allegedly used to pay gang members and buy weapons in defiance of US sanctions. Irish woman among nine people kidnapped in horror planned armed gang attack on orphanage in Haiti Richardson was arrested in Texas last month. The pair helped "bankroll Cherizier's violent criminal enterprise, which is driving a security crisis in Haiti", according to Assistant US Attorney General John Eisenberg. He further said US authorities would "continue to pursue those who enable Haiti's violence and instability". Cherizier's nickname Barbecue is rumoured refer to him setting his victims on fire. Under rampant gang brutality, Port-au-Prince is now considered one of the most dangerous cities on the planet. Fighting between gangs, cops and citizen groups has ripped through the city, leaving its infrastructure in tatters. Health services are crumbling and food insecurity has grown increasingly acute throughout Port-au-Prince. A recent attempt by a UN backed Kenyan led security force failed to restore control from the gangs. Haiti was thrown into crisis when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in 2021. Who is Barbecue? HAITI'S Port-au-Prince currently lies in the hands of the feared Jimmy "Barbecue Barbecue - who is rumoured to have earned his nickname for setting his victims on fire - envisions himself as a "revolutionary", a self-professed "man of the people". His methods involve the killing, maiming and extorting of anyone unlucky enough to fall within his turf - turning every day into a constant battle for survival for residents. The fired cop turned warlord has been taking to the streets with a renewed vengeance and a plan to overthrow the government. He is currently sanctioned by the UK and its allies for "engaging in acts threatening the peace, security and stability of Haiti". And his influence is fast increasing as the country spirals into further turmoil sparked by the 2021 assassination of the country's Prime Minister Jovenal Moïse. Ever since, a security vacuum opened up and Barbecue has been greedily exploiting it, taking over territory and expanding his coalition with other gangs to wage further war. G9 has also been responsible for repeatedly cutting Haiti off from its much-needed fuel supply by taking its main oil terminal hostage. In a savage display of strength, Barbecue paralysed the country several times by preventing the distribution of food, water and vital medicines, plunging it into a deeper humanitarian crisis. Barbecue's criminal career dates back to his time as a police officer, InSight Crime reports. He participated in an anti-gang operation in 2017, leading to the extrajudicial killing of nine civilians. In 2018, he led a group of seven gangs in a massacre in La Saline, Haiti's worst massacre in over a decade. Barbecue was then fired from the police force and a warrant was issued for his arrest. In 2019, he participated in a four-day attack across Port-au-Prince's Bel-Air neighborhood, killing at least 24 people. 7 A man searches through burning trash in Port-au-Prince
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Paraglider, 29, dies in horror 1,600ft plunge after powerful gust of wind slammed her into cliff in Alps
MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY Paraglider, 29, dies in horror 1,600ft plunge after powerful gust of wind slammed her into cliff in Alps Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DAREDEVIL paraglider has died after she was blown away by powerful winds which sent her crashing into a cliff. Isabel Kofler, 29, plunged 1,600ft to her death after she leapt from Ortler mountain in the Italian Alps on Friday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Isabel Kofler, 29, died while paragliding Credit: Newsflash 3 She was reportedly blown away by a 'freak' gust of wind Credit: Newsflash 3 She was paragliding in the Alps when she died Credit: Newsflash Isabel had reached the summit at dawn on August 8 with three friends and the group planned to paraglide down to the valley. She reportedly made the first jump, before immediately losing altitude and plummeting down the mountain. The hiker was blown away by a "freak" gust of wind which caused her to slam into the snow-covered rocks. She then tumbled around 1,600ft down the cliff face. A mountain guide who witnessed the horror accident immediately alerted authorities. Rescue services scrambled to the scene, including the Sulden Alpine Rescue team, the Pelikan 1 air rescue helicopter, and the Guardia di Finanza's Alpine unit. Paramedics and mountain rescuers were lowered to the scene by winch. But when they arrived she was pronounced dead following the violent impact caused by the sudden gust of wind. The dangerous recovery operation lasted about two hours. Authorities have launched a probe to determine the exact circumstances of the harrowing ordeal. Isabel was a member of the Arcobaleno Fly club and a certified paraglider. She was well known in her community and active in local sports. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I was stalked & attacked by a man who didn't fit the ‘profile' – he was good looking with a good job & a girlfriend
Read on to see how Leigh escaped her attacker FIGHT BACK I was stalked & attacked by a man who didn't fit the 'profile' – he was good looking with a good job & a girlfriend Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Leigh Collins was woken up to her dogs barking in the middle of the night, she assumed it was her ex-boyfriend messing around. It was 3am and as Leigh sat down on the couch to calm her dogs, she noticed a dark figure lurking in the hallway. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Leigh Collins woke up at night to find a random man in her house, weilding her kitchen knife Credit: from now on podcast/youtube 3 Rashad Devon Harris, broke into Leigh's apartment, police suspect he stalked her for years Credit: Santa Monica police "I saw a silhouetted figure just kind of peek in and then peek out," she explains. "Which is a nightmare, then it was like my brain started convincing myself that it was my ex-boyfriend. "He had a key, we had gotten into a fight that day and so I was talking myself out of it being what it was." Trying to convince herself the situation wasn't as bad as it seemed, she decided to look around each room in the apartment. Leigh checked the hallway, the front room, and dining room and found nothing. But as she walked to the kitchen, she found a man pressed against the wall holding one of her kitchen knives. Speaking on the From Now On podcast, Leigh said an inner voice took over telling her what to do. She stood and stared at the attacker, making sure to get every detail of what he looked like before she made a run for her escape. But he soon caught up with her in the living room and held her against the wall with a knife asking for money. Leigh recalled how he was acting tense, and asked if she had a boyfriend coming back, she lied and said yes. The attacker quickly called her bluff and relaxed, knowing no one was going to disturb him. He walked Leigh over to her bedroom, somewhere she knew she didn't want to be with him, so she told him cash was in the guest bedroom. 3 Now, Leigh shares the warning signs to look out for Credit: from now on podcast/youtube Sexual abuse in numbers 669,000 adults are sexually assaulted in England and Wales every year 1 in 5 women (8m) in the UK have been sexually abused 1 in 6 men (5m) in the UK have been sexually abused 1 in 20 children in the UK have been sexually abused Sexual abuse has been attributed to: 15% of all suicides in the UK 11% of all common mental health disorders in the UK 7% of alcohol dependence disorders 10% of drug dependence disorders 15% of eating disorders 17% of post-traumatic stress disorders (Source: Safeline) Once she handed the money over, he asked what else she had to offer, and she realised he wasn't there for a robbery. He soon took her to the bedroom again and began to sexually assault her, Leigh says her life and her future played like a film in her mind. She added: "You know people say when you're in a near-death experience that you'll have a flash of your life, mine was a flash to my future. "I think it was my brain's way to show me I had something to fight for." The intruder then climbed onto the bed with Leigh and she could tell he was enjoying her fear, as he moved closer, he took the knife off her throat and she saw it as her opportunity to fight back. FIGHTING BACK First she screamed for help, before he straddled her and began beating her and trying to stab her. Leigh hit back, and she was able to get her legs from underneath him and kick him off the bed. She soon noticed some of her fingers were almost cut off from her hand and her energy soon shifted to rage as she saw the damage he had done. Screaming, she beat him and told him she would kill him unless he got out the house. I wanted to share some qualities about him that I found surprising and also say, always trust your intuition. Leigh Collins While he initially fought back, he soon got up and fled and Leigh was able to call the police for help. Three days later, Rashad Devon Harris, was arrested, and police discovered he had been stalking Leigh for years. Last year, Rashad was sentenced to life in prison and Leigh, who has made a full recovery from her injuries, advocates for victims on social media. HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT In a recent clip, she warned women to be careful and to trust their gut instinct, claiming her intruder didn't follow the usual stereotypes of this type of criminal activity. She said: "I wanted to share some qualities about him that I found surprising and also say, always trust your intuition. I don't remember meeting the man who stalked me, but I know I must have." Leigh first said that unlike most people who commit sexually motivated crimes, he was good-looking, had a girlfriend, a good job and even a support network of family and friends. "He was hiding in plain sight," she added. "These guys can compartmentalize and they're incredibly manipulative." Leigh went on to say that you should always pay attention to your intuition, rather than what the typical archetype is for dangerous people. "I could feel the emptiness from him. And it scared me. Not just from the way he behaved, not just from his eyes or the way he looked," she explained. "The feeling of him was that there was a shell and inside there was nothing. if you get a feeling like that from someone, that chill up and down your spine, pay attention to that. "More than paying attention to what the typical archetype of someone like this is."
