Woman stole nearly £3,000 worth of Jellycat toys from garden centres sentenced

17 February 2025, 20:41 | Updated: 17 February 2025, 21:56

A woman who stole Jellycat soft toys worth almost £3,000 from garden centres in Norfolk has been sentenced for shoplifting.

Ruby Smith, 35, from Eye in Suffolk, was handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, after admitting seven counts of theft from a shop at an earlier hearing, Norfolk Police said.

Smith, who was found to have around 40 of the collectables when police raided her home, was also ordered to pay £1,400 in compensation and a £154 victim surcharge at Norwich Crown Court on Monday.

She was caught on CCTV walking around stores and putting the cuddly toys into her bag, her clothing, or a child's pram before walking out without paying.

The seven incidents of shoplifting, between July and September last year, happened at three different Norfolk garden centres in Bressingham, Wroxham, and Thetford.

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Smith was also made subject to electronic monitoring for three months and was ordered to attend an accredited programme for 40 days and complete up to seven days at a rehabilitation activity programme.

Jellycat, founded in London in 1999, is known for its plush toys, which retail on its website from around £12 for smaller items up to £200 for a giant one.

(c) Sky News 2025: Woman stole nearly £3,000 worth of Jellycat toys from garden centres sentenced