Handbag thief's supermarket ban

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A "professional" handbag thief has been banned from every supermarket in Wales and England for a year.

Lenka Pavlovincova, 20, was caught after returning to a Flintshire store a third time, Mold Crown Court heard.

She was also given a six-month suspended term, after appealing against youth custody imposed by magistrates.

Judge Philip Richards, sitting with magistrates for the appeal, ruled the earlier eight-month sentence on the Czech national was too harsh.

But he ordered the year-long supermarket ban on Pavlovincova after describing the thefts as a "professional operation" and saying he wanted to ensure she was not tempted to return to crime.

The court order bans her from entering all shops with a floor size bigger than 50 square metres.

Recognised

The hearing was told Pavlovincova, who had been living in Leeds, was first caught on CCTV cameras at the Asda store in Queensferry in July, passing a stolen bag to another women.

On the second occasion, she was filmed entering the shop without a handbag, but leaving with one over her shoulder.

But on her third visit to the supermarket she was recognised by security staff, who called the police.

David Potter, defending, said Pavlovincova had been in the UK since July 2007, and at the time had no work and could not claim benefits.

But he said that while unpleasant, the thefts were of low value by a very young woman who had never been to custody before.

He said: "The magistrates took a decision to make an example of this defendant and chose to ignore important personal circumstances.

'Positive contribution'

"If in the next case the magistrates had a similar case committed by someone who had not arrived in the UK from the Czech Republic, it is my respectful submission that they would not have imposed the maximum immediate sentence they were lawfully able to give."

He added that his client had a stable home with her uncle and aunt, had got a job at an ice cream factory, was developing her English, and intended to become a member of the community who would make a positive contribution to it.