Jail for Kent shoplifter who attacked police officer with scissors
She also assaulted a shop worker on the Isle of Sheppey
A violent shoplifter who attacked an off-duty police officer with a pair of scissors on the Isle of Sheppey has been jailed for six months.
The officer tried to intervene after Rebecca Lee was seen with items worth around £50, which she had taken from Co-op in Aspen Drive in Minster-on-Sea last Thursday (February 15th).
The 42-year-old of no fixed address also bit the officer multiple times. She had previously threatened and assaulted a member of shop staff who tried to prevent her leaving with the items.
Lee was later charged by investigators from the Swale Victim Based Crime Team with theft, assault, assaulting an emergency worker and possessing a bladed article in a public place.
She was also charged with a further count of theft from McColl’s in Milton Regis High Street on February 3rd.
Lee pleaded guilty to all the indictments at her first hearing before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (February 17th). She was immediately sent to prison for six months.
Inspector Barry Carr said of Kent Police said:
"Our constables are committed to tackling prolific thieves and, in this case, a dedicated officer chose to intervene whilst off duty when he saw a crime underway in a local Sheppey shop.
"He was assaulted by this particularly unpleasant and violent individual but detained her until the arrival of some of his colleagues.
"Criminals who choose to target local businesses, particularly those who resort to violence, can expect to be charged and brought before the courts at the earliest opportunity."