Pensioner and carer admit shoplifting £2,000 worth of luxury items at M&S store in Sevenoaks
14:00, 06 August 2023
updated: 12:32, 07 August 2023
A pensioner and his carer have admitted walking out of an M&S store with a trolley full of luxury goods worth about £2,000 without paying.
Michael O’Regan, 72, and his carer, Sarah Baker, 54, had been at the shop in Sevenoaks when they stole various items, including bottles of brandy, wine, and high-end seafood items.
The pair managed to leave the shop without being stopped but were later identified and attended voluntary interviews at the police station, where they gave no-comment interviews.
O’Regan, of Waterbank Road, Catford, and Baker, of Iverhurst Close, Bexleyheath, were charged with shoplifting and both admitted the offence when they appeared in the dock at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Debbie Jones, prosecuting, revealed how M&S staff used CCTV footage to retrace the pair’s steps throughout the store.
They had added up how much the stolen items - including meat joints and wine - had cost, estimating the duo walked off with about £2,000 worth of goods.
Ms Jones said: “They went into the store at 12.42pm and put various items into the trolley and left without paying.
“They stole meat joints, luxury seafood items, wine and more.”
Magistrates were told the pair disputed how much the items were worth.
They also heard that O’Regan suffers with the respiratory illness COPD and is not in the greatest of health, while Baker, who is paid by the government to care for O’Regan, has money problems.
O’Regan had one previous conviction for dishonesty in 2005, while Baker had one previous caution.
Magistrates fined them both £80 and ordered they pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £32 each.
They must also pay £100 compensation to the M&S store in London Road.
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