A former Sainsbury's employee went on a £200 shopping spree while wearing her old uniform and pretending to fulfil an online order.
Holly Trevillion travelled to the supermarket in Castlepoint, Bournemouth, dressed in the Sainsbury's uniform and stole items on five separate occasions.
The 35-year-old walked out of the store with up £200 worth of goods without being stopped.
She was eventually caught after a member of staff became suspicious and confronted her.
The former employee was caught by a member of staff who became suspicious (Stock image)
Getty
Trevillion worked at Sainsbury's for 10 years and had been based at its store at Alder Hills, Poole, Dorset, a court heard.
She was sacked after missing a number of shifts and admitted to police that she targeted the specific Sainsbury's branch in Bournemouth because nobody knew her there.
Prosecutor Tara Olney told the court that Trevillion was spotted on CCTV on five separate occasions between September 18 and October 19 last year putting shopping in a trolley and then walking out without paying.
Olney said: "She was seen to leave Sainsbury's without making any attempt to pay. She chose to avoid the checkouts and followed that behaviour in each incident.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"When interviewed by police she started by saying she didn't accept it was fraud because it was her uniform and she did work at Sainsbury's.
"She said she lost her job because she missed too many shifts. She admitted she went there intending to steal general household shopping.
"She said it would be easier if she was in uniform to steal and the limelight would not be on her."
Trevillion, who was of previous good character, admitted five counts of fraud by false representation.
Trevillion worked at Sainsbury's for 10 years and had been based at its store at Alder Hills, Poole, Dorset (Stock image)
PA IMAGESThe court heard she had lived in London with her husband and teenage son and worked for a Sainsbury's there but transferred to the store in Poole last year after her 18-year relationship ended.
However, she was "absent for weeks at a time" after her marriage ended "not of her choosing".
Richard Middleton, defending said: "This is out of character for this lady. She is trying to get her life back on track and is really ashamed about her actions".
Trevillion was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £206.28 compensation to Sainsbury's and £111 costs and victim surcharge.