A ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ couple from Wisbech – the only difference being they stole Cadbury’s Crème Eggs from Tesco rather than robbing banks – appeared before magistrates for breaching a court order not to go shopping together.
Scott McSpadden, 40, and Tanya Momot, 31, appeared before Cambridge magistrates.
McSpadden, the court heard, was in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) when on March 13 he went into Tesco in Kirkgate Street, Wisbech, with Momot where he picked up £59.40 worth of the chocolate eggs and left without making any attempt to pay.
This was in breach of the two-year CBO that McSpadden was made subject of in September last year, which states that he must not:
- Enter the Horsefair Shopping centre in Wisbech as shown on map, except to go to Fairbrother Pharmacy
- Not to enter any shopping store at the same time as Tanya Momot.
Police arrested McSpadden on the morning April 4 in Little Church Street, Wisbech, and he was later charged with theft and breach of a CBO.
Momot was arrested at McSpadden’s home in Duke Street, Wisbech, later that morning in connection with a shoplifting incident on March 24.
She was charged with theft of £95.98 worth of sandwiches and confectionery items from BP in Lynne Road, Wisbech.
Both appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday (5 April) where they admitted all offences.
McSpadden was sentenced to nine weeks in prison and has been ordered to pay £30 in compensation to Tesco.
Momot, of Lynne Road, Wisbech, was ordered to pay £32 in compensation to BP.
This comes two days after she appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for six months, and a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) for breaching a two-year CBO, which prevents her from entering the pedestrianised area of the Horsefair shopping centre in Wisbech, including all shops and commercial premises.
PC James Game, who investigated, said: “McSpadden and Momot are prolific shoplifters in Wisbech who blatantly disregard the orders of the court by continuing to breach their CBOs and commit shoplifting offences.
“The CBOs allow us to have greater powers when it comes to tackling their offending, as we will continue to arrest them and put them before the courts if they are ever found to be in breach of the orders.”
Anyone with information about Momot or McSpadden breaching the CBOs should contact police via the web chat service or online forms at www.cambs.police.uk/report. Those without internet access should call 101
