Suspended jail term for Pennington shoplifter Sarah Cooper who spat at Tesco Express worker

SPITTING at a shop worker landed a Pennington woman with a 14-week suspended jail term.

Sarah Cooper (27), of Howards Mead, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at Tesco Express in the village on 7th October and stealing a meat slice and drink from One Stop nearby.

She also admitted damaging the window of a property at Howards Mead belonging to New Forest District Council on the same day.

In committing the offences, the defendant breached a community order imposed by the court for stealing food, alcohol and petrol and assault by beating.

Southampton magistrates said the offence was deemed more serious "in the days when Covid has affected the lives of so many".

"The sentence is imposed both as a punishment and to send a message of general deterrent," said the Bench, suspending prison for 12 months.

Cooper was further ordered to undergo rehabilitation and pay £252 compensation, and is prohibited from entering a Tesco branch.