Former Criminology Lecturer Accused of Shoplifting Premium Gin — And ‘High-Value Pieces of Meat’
A former criminology lecturer and her husband are accused of theft after reportedly being caught shoplifting bottles of craft gin, wine, cookware and meat. (Photo: Richard Bell/Unsplash)
A former criminology lecturer and her husband face allegations of engaging in two separate shoplifting incidents, The Sun reported on Thursday. The accusations involve the purported theft of high-end merchandise, including artisanal gin, upscale cookware and premium cuts of beef.
The initial occurrence unfolded at a garden center, where the accused, Pauline Al Said, was allegedly apprehended with a de-tagging device and bags containing over $700 worth of merchandise. According to the report, she returned the bags after being confronted. The recovered items included spirits valued at £400 ($497.03), featuring brands such as Mermaid Gin and spiced rum, as well as Le Creuset cookware with a condiment set, totaling £581.43 ($722).
The Sun reported that as Al Said was being escorted back to the store by the shop’s security during this incident, her 54-year-old husband, Mark Wheatcroft, allegedly shouted, “F*** off or I will lay you out” right before “throwing a punch” at the other man.
Nine months later, undercover security at Marks & Spencer observed Al Said in the act of shoplifting, the court heard. She was allegedly caught stuffing shopping bags with 33 thick-cut sirloin, rib-eye and fillet steaks, accompanied by nine bottles of wine, collectively valued at £570.42 ($708.82).
“They aren’t just any piece of meat — they are high-value pieces of meat,” Prosecutor Mary Aspinall-Miles said in the trial.
When realizing a security guard was observing her, Al Said reportedly “flicked him the middle finger” before attempting to exit the store, only to be apprehended by the guard, per The Sun.
The legal proceedings are currently ongoing at Winchester Crown Court. Throughout the trial, Al Said staunchly denied the theft charges, while Wheatcroft similarly refuted the accusations of theft and assault, according to the report.
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