Wine theft blamed on ‘a bad day’

A WOMAN who stole two bottles of wine from Tesco on her birthday appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Feb 2).

Charlotte Rees, aged 36 of Coombes Drive, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the charge, which also meant that she was in breach of an existing community order, imposed on November 10, 2015.

Prosecutor, Ellie Morgan told the court: “On January 12 at Tesco in Milford haven, police received a call to attend due to a female shoplifter.

“They told the police they saw Rees take two bottles of wine and made no attempt to pay.”

The court heard that in interview, Rees made full admissions and said that she realised she didn’t have enough money to pay for the wine. She said she was “having a bad day,” and took it.

Defence solicitor, Johnathan Webb said: “Rees has ‘bad days’ as a result of a bereavement. Her other half died from a road collision at the Rath in Milford Haven.”

Rees’ other half, Luke John Allerton, passed away in April 2014, after crashing into the Fisherman’s monument on the Rath at speed on his motorcycle. In a coroners report in October 2014, it was said that Allerton was travelling at such a speed, that the force of the crash was enough to rip the bike’s front forks from the headstock before it landed on the footpath.

Rees appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court the week before, however did not mention that she would be appearing again to anybody at the court.

Probation officer, Julie Norman said: “We can only work with people who are honest with us. She said she didn’t tell us she would be reappearing because she was scared, but I’m going to find out anyway because I’m here all the time.”

Magistrates told Rees that “this is an unfortunate habit” before revoking and resentencing her existing community order. She must also complete a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, which will last 25 days, and must complete 50 hours of unpaid work.