Selfridges thief who stole £11,000 of luxury goods dodges jail after 'lecture' from judge
Jana-Cenzara Alexe was identified by CCTV committing a number of thefts at Selfridges in May, June and August
FLICKR
A 37-year-old woman convicted of a shoplifting spree from Selfridges taking luxury goods worth over £11,000 has been given a suspended sentence after receiving a “lecture” from the judge.
The court heard that when Jana-Cenzara Alexe was arrested earlier this year, the police found a number of items on her, including a detagging device used to remove security tags and a quantity of class B amphetamines.
The court heard that Alexe was identified by CCTV committing a number of thefts at Selfridges in May, June and August.
The total value of the thefts was said to be over £11,000.
In a summer shoplifting spree, Alexe was seen in Selfridges swiping three handbags worth £1,255.
In another incident, she stole three pairs of sunglasses worth £1,650 from the iconic Oxford Street store.
Alexe was identified by CCTV committing a number of thefts at Selfridges in May, June and AugustFLICKRShe returned again to pinch a handbag and two pairs of shoes worth £3,900.
The court heard that her drug habit cost £200 a day to cover, which was the cause for her stealing and that she had an “appalling” list of convictions.
Despite several prior convictions, she had yet to be given a community order in her sentences.
Alexe, a mother of two, had pleaded guilty to all of her charges.
Alexe was said to be living with and supported by her mother, who is of independent means, with Alexe having no income and not claiming benefits.
District Judge John Zani said he was looking for a “glimmer” of her doing something positive, or “she’ll be back here in a month,” but warned that he had not seen “any encouragement” to reassure him that she was going to take steps to prevent her cycle of stealing to fund a drug habit.
The judge sentenced her to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
He added that if there was any breach of suspended sentence, then Alexe would return to Westminster Magistrates to be sent to prison.
Before beginning a direct appeal to Alexe in the dock, the judge said he had reserved the case to himself.
“If you come back to me, I will send you to prison.
“Many judges would have sent you back to prison and you could have had no complaints.
“I am to some extent taking a chance on you, but I note you’re still in your thirties, you have two young children, I’m minded to say it’s about time you grew up.”
Before letting her go, the judge said: “You’ve got two options, either you turn left and go back to stealing, in which case we’ll see you here pretty quickly. Or, you turn right and say ‘I’m actually going to give this a go.’
“You have to decide. I’m not talking to a 15-year-old, I’m talking to a lady of some years.
“That’s enough of a lecture, I think I’ve made my reasoning clear. It’s now up to you.”
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