A WREXHAM woman brazenly placed more than £100 of items in her Asda shopping trolley before attempting to leave without paying.

The trolley dash attempt on January 14 was foiled when 38-year-old Lorraine Thackerberry, was spotted on CCTV by eagle-eyed security guard Jason Matthews at around 3.30pm. The hot handed shopper was walking down the spirit aisle and placing items in an already full trolley when she was recognised as a previous shoplifter.

Anouska Youds, prosecuting at Mold Magistrates Court, successfully applied to the bench to be able to prove the case in absence as Thackerberry, of Pentre Gwyn, had failed to attend the trial. The bench agreed to the request and Ms Youds told them how the defendant, wearing a dark green jacket with faux leather sleeves, had been instantly recognised by Mr Matthews, as she had previous convictions for shoplifting at the same store.

After leaving the spirits aisle, Thackerberry then placed some laundry conditioner in her trolley, before heading to the snack aisle, where she selected packets of nuts and crisps. She contrived to conceal further items in a shopping bag she had hanging off the front of the trolley and after walking down the beauty aisle, headed towards the exit, where she was greeted by Mr Matthews and the store manager.

The police were called and when they attended the scene, the items had been scanned through the checkout and the total value of the goods came to £148.16.

Ms Youds told the bench that the defendant already had several similar convictions to her name, the last on which came in 2018 when she had been made subject to a two year conditional discharge, which meant she was now in breach of.

Having found Thackerberry guilty in her absence, Magistrates ordered a warrant to be issued for her arrest so she can be sentenced on the matter and also the breach of the conditional discharge.