Shoplifter Sophie Hobby told to pay out twice as much after stealing over £100 of make-up from Superdrug in New Milton

STEALING over £100 of make-up from a New Milton health and beauty store cost a shoplifter more than twice that when she appeared before magistrates.

Sophie Hobby (31), of Wootton Road, Tiptoe, admitted taking the products from Superdrug on Station Road on 15th September 2024, and was sentenced at the Southampton court.

As well as being told to pay £103.90 compensation, Hobby was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £32 surcharge to help fund victim support services.

The outcome was welcomed by PC Tom Jelly, of New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team, as showing officers’ “commitment to seriously tackling shoplifting across the New Forest”.

He said: “I’m pleased for the store in question, as well as the wider business community here, that Hobby has been held accountable for her actions.

"Retail crime is one of our local priorities, in addition to all the other work that the team deal with on a daily basis.”

PC Jelly praised Superdrug for its support throughout the investigation.

“If it wasn’t for their hard work and help along the way, identifying Hobby and getting her to court would have been that much harder,” he continued.

“I hope this case again 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.”

Store owners and staff are urged to continue reporting any shopliftings to police to ensure offenders are more likely to be arrested, charged and convicted.

Get in touch online via hampshire.police.uk or call 101.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously via crimeestoppers-uk.org or on 0800 555 111.