Shoplifter Annmarie Connors stole hundreds of pounds of goods from stores in Lymington and New Milton while holidaying with family from Addlestone, Surrey

A SHOPLIFTER stole hundreds of pounds of goods from New Milton and Lymington stores while holidaying in the area with her family.

Annmarie Connors (29), of Garfield Road in Addlestone, Surrey, was ordered to pay nearly £800 in fines and compensation after admitting three thefts at Staines Magistrates’ Court.

Boots Opticians in New Milton and Lymington had been targeted on Sunday 26th November 2023, along with New Milton’s Tesco on Caird Avenue on Wednesday 24th April this year.

Connors stole three pairs of sunglasses, worth £770, from the Lymington branch and one pair of £190 glasses from the New Milton branch.

An unknown value of items was taken in the Tesco theft.

Welcoming the court result, PC Martha Appleby, of New Milton neighbourhood policing team, pointed out retail crime was a local priority.

Once Connors was identified after continued enquiries, officers completed two arrest attempts in Surrey, with the second one in May proving successful.

“I must say that she was most shocked to see us knocking at her door, a good two-hour drive away from New Milton,” said PC Appleby.

“There was an initial denial about her involvement in the crimes, but after being shown the CCTV images of the incidents, she had no option but to admit responsibility.

“Some may question why officers went all that way to get Connors. New Milton NPT will robustly deal with prolific offenders, and will make attempts to apprehend those offenders who blight our town, wherever they may be.

"Connors would visit the area on holiday with family and commit thefts, knowing that no one locally would know who she was and evade prosecution for her crimes.”

PC Appleby explained that, having met Connors, officers can now provide identification statements and successfully prosecute her should she return to the area and commit crime.

She hoped this prosecution would deter her from coming to the area again.

Thanking those in the local business community who supported the investigation, PC Appleby added: “I hope this case sends out a very clear message to others thinking of committing criminality in New Milton.

“We won’t tolerate it and we will work tirelessly to bring you before the courts.”