A 30-year-old woman from Pennington has been handed a six-month community order after pleading guilty to stealing fuel and alcohol from Asda, Wellworthy Road, Lymington.

Sarah Louise Cooper, of Howards Mead, was sentenced when she appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday 14 February.

In addition to the community order, Cooper must also pay £50.06 in compensation, as well as complete a rehabilitation activity requirement, up to a maximum of 20 days.

The sentencing follows the theft of prosecco and fuel from the Asda store and petrol station on Thursday 8 August 2024.

PC Tom Jelly, of New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I am pleased for the store in question, as well as the wider business community, that Cooper has been held accountable for her actions.

"Retail crime is one of our local priorities, in addition to all the other work that the team deal with on a daily basis.

“This case once again demonstrates our commitment to seriously tackling shoplifting and theft across the New Forest.

“I hope this case once again sends out a very clear message to others thinking of committing criminality in the Lymington area. We won’t tolerate it and we will work tirelessly to bring you before the courts.”

If you are a shop owner or staff member, please continue to report any shopliftings to us.

You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, below;

Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or via the below link;

Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers