Shoplifter banned from wearing wigs in shops

A serial thief has been banned from wearing wigs in shops after a three-week shoplifting spree.

Rachael Cole, 44, admitted four counts of theft at Basingstoke Magistrates Court last week.

She was jailed for 36 weeks and on her release will face a two-year criminal behaviour order restricting her from wearing a wig, hair piece or any face covering that conceals her appearance when entering a shop.

She has also been banned from every Sainsbury's and Tesco store in the UK, as well as the B&M store in Bordon.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said Cole, from Whitehill, was charged with stealing £964 worth of goods from shops in Hook and Liphook between 10 November and 1 December.

The force said on one occasion she wore a wig to disguise herself as she took seven bags of dog food from Sainsbury's in Liphook.

Among the restrictions, she must place any items for purchase in a basket or trolley until they are paid for.

If asked to leave a shop in Hampshire or Surrey, she must do so immediately without the use of aggressive or abusive language and must not return to the same shop the same day.

East Hampshire Insp Matt Wake said: "Cole repeatedly and brazenly steals from local businesses, even going as far as to making a poor attempt at disguising herself with a wig to try and deceive police and shop owners."

He added: "Where shoplifting is reported to us, we make every effort to identify and arrest offenders, and use other tactics such as applying for CBOs to limit re-offending."

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