Mum and daughter shopping in ASDA arrested after only scanning cheap items at self-service checkout
Tracey and Demi James bagged the more expensive goods without scanning them
A MOTHER and daughter were caught by an ASDA security guard stealing shopping through a self-service checkout, a court heard.
Demi and Tracey James only paid for their cheaper items, and did not scan their more expensive groceries while shopping at the supermarket in Derby.
Prosecutor Steven Taylor told Derby Crown Court that the mother and daughter duo, who live in Willington, Derbyshire, tried to steal items worth £84.45.
The incident took place on April 25 last year.
He said: "They were followed on camera moving through the store, loading their trolley and ended up in the self-scanning area.
"Cameras zoomed in on them and observed them using different tills, taking items out of the same trolley, bagging them up and then putting them on top of more expensive items in the trolley.
"They also scanned some higher-value items, such as fish, through the self-scanning tills as cheaper items, such as apples.
"They then tried to leave the store but were challenged by a security guard."
Judge Robert Egbuna, giving them both six-month community orders, said: "Why you both chose to bring this case to crown court beggars belief, unless you thought by coming here the Crown would not proceed with their prosecution.
"The evidence against you was overwhelming, compelling and strong and I have no doubt had this gone to trial, a jury would have convicted you in minutes.
"You don't just come to the higher court like this, rack up the expenses and expect the court not to punish you."
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