A shoplifter from Pembroke Dock has been fined in court after admitting stealing meat, fruit and vegetable produce from a local store.

Thirty-one-year-old Tina Ann Rees of Wellington Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday to admit the charge, which took place on October 21 at the Tesco store in Pembroke Dock.

The court heard that Ms Rees had been handed a suspended eight week prison sentence shortly before Christmas for similar shoplifting offences, but that this matter predated those charges, therefore she was not in breach of her sentence.

Her sister thirty-year-old Kelly Louise Rees of Precelly Place, Milford Haven, had been jailed for 32 weeks when jointly charged in December.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that on this occasion, Ms Rees had once again gone into the Tesco store and filled up a trolley with various products, and simply pushed it out of the premises without paying.

“She was not apprehended at the time, but CCTV later identified her. She made full admission when interviewed by police.

“Ms Rees said that she was short of money at the time, and stole items to sell on to obtain money, whilst also keeping some food stuff for herself.

“The stolen items were not recovered, and there was quite a lot of items in the trolley,” added Mr. Pritchard-Jones.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher said that the offence had been part of a shoplifting spree conducted by Ms Rees and her sister.

“For some reason it wasn’t possible to bring this charge to the court with the other charges she faced before Christmas. I hear that Ms Rees is making good progress with probation,” he remarked.

Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates that Ms Rees’ suspended sentence term was still in its infancy, but that she had attended all appointments so far and was engaging.

“She appears motivated to address issues that have contributed to shoplifting matters,” she said.

Magistrates fined Ms Rees £40 for the offence and ordered her to pay compensation of £50 to the Tesco store.

She was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £32 victim surcharge.