A woman has appeared in court and admitted stealing baby milk formula from Co-op stores in Kirkby Stephen and Appleby during two thefts in an hour.
Sarka Bandyova, 35, was later caught after an alert police officer in a neighbouring county recognised her from a wanted appeal.
Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard details of three copycat crimes this morning.
On January 7, at around 6.30pm, Bandyova went into the Co-op at Redmayne Road in Kirkby Stephen with a shopping trolley.
“She took 14 boxes of baby formula, put them into the trolley and left the store without making any attempt to pay,” said prosecutor Diane Jackson.
By 7pm, Bandyova was 12 miles away in Appleby, at the Co-op on The Sands.
There, she wheeled a trolley into the store and stole baby formula worth £196 — taking the total value of the theft to almost £400.
Bandyova committed a third offence at Windermere’s Boots outlet, on February 18. Just before 5pm, she took 19 boxes of baby milk formula — worth £238.50 — again, said Mrs Jackson, “making no effort to pay”.
A police officer working in the North Yorkshire town of Catterick Garrison later recognised Bandyova from a previously issued wanted appeal, made in respect of similar offending.
She was arrested, and at the Carlisle court she pleaded guilty to three offences of theft.
Mrs Jackson said Bandyova, of Bentley Lane, Leeds, was currently on immigration bail, awaiting a status decision from the Home Office.
Bandyova made her admissions while appearing in court over a video link from custody.
She was not legally represented and, emotionally, told magistrates she was keen to stay out of trouble. “I am so sorry. I am really sorry,” she tearfully told the court.
Magistrates imposed an 18-month conditional discharge. This means she will not be punished unless she commits another crime during that time period.
Bandyova was ordered to pay £630.50 compensation to the stores.
