Thief hid haul in pushchair


A SHOPLIFTER dodged jail after a “deliberate spree of thefts” across Kent. A district judge tore into jobless


mother-of-four Sammy Jo Wallace (28), of Chestnut Close, Maidstone, who stole nearly £1,000 in Hal- loween costumes, meat, toys and chocolate bars from various super- markets. The court heard she used her


children in their pushchairs to con- ceal the stolen goods. Her defence solicitor told Maidstone Magis- trates’ Court Wallace was strug- gling with being a single mother, despite raking in over £1,700 a month in benefits. The court heard Wallace had six previous convic- tions of dishonesty and shoplifting, and had suffered for the last four years with depression and anxiety. Defending, Richard Lamb said:


“Miss Wallace is not very intelli- gent, has slowness of thought and autism. She had a burst of children with this man and now struggles being alone.” Judge Paul Goldspring, sitting at


Maidstone, said: “You need to un- derstand the position you have put yourself in. I am very alive to the fact that whatever happens today has an impact on your children, which you say is your main con- cern. “Well, I don’t believe that. These


thefts were pre-planned in a delib- erate spree. Every conviction you have is for dishonesty and you used your children to conceal the goods by putting them in the pushchair. There is not a hint of re- morse and you have an appalling record.” Wallace admitted four counts of


theft and one of assault. She was given a suspended sentence of 18 months, with an 18-month condi- tional order with a curfew from 10pm to 6am for a month. The judge added: “This is the last


opportunity you’ll get. If there are any more offences, you will go to prison.” Wallace is pictured on the left,


leaving court with her mother, Lisa.


Cleaner in drugs case


A HOMELESS cleaner was caught with 16 grams of cannabis in a park in Maidstone. Christine Chapman (48) was ar-


rested after officers on patrol in Brenchley Gar- dens noticed a group of people acting


suspi-


ciously. Her defence


solicitor told Mai d s to n e Magi s tr at e s Court Chap-


man bought her cannabis a month in advance, usually for about £80. Prosecuting, Debbie Jones said:


“At around 1pm on May 13, Chap- man handed over a silver cannis-


ter, a joint, a large bag and a tin with 16 grams of cannabis inside.” The court heard Chapman was


fully employed as a cleaner at OCS Cleaning in Fremlin Walk. Defending, Geoffrey Playford


said: “Miss Chapman’s father re- cently passed away and she cannot stay with her mother as she only has a one-bedroom flat, so she is sofa surfing. She has been out of trouble for over 19 years.” Judge Paul Goldspring said: “I


accept the cannabis is for personal use, even if it is a bit more than usual.” Chapman pleaded guilty to the


possession of a class B drug and was given a six-month conditional discharge and a £105 fine.


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DM 07/19 Maidstone December 2019 5


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