Worthing Woman Jailed After £2,000 Shoplifting Spree

A Broadwater woman has been sentenced to 34 weeks in prison after carrying out a £2,000 shoplifting spree across Worthing and Rustington.

Joanne Cook, 36, of Clarendon Road, stole alcohol, meat, cosmetics and cleaning products from several shops between 2 and 15 April this year.

She was arrested at Worthing Custody Centre and charged with 14 counts of shoplifting, 12 breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order, and possession of a bladed article in public. Cook targeted multiple Co-Op stores in Worthing, as well as Sainsbury’s, Paydens Pharmacy, Boots, One Stop, and Tesco across Worthing, Rustington and East Preston.

Cook pleaded guilty to all charges at Lewes Crown Court on 22 July. Police credited early reports from local businesses and the efforts of the Worthing Investigations team for securing the conviction.