Woman, 35, spared jail for Jellycat toy thefts from garden centres

Ruby Smith was captured on CCTV placing the cuddly toys in her bag, her clothing or a pram.

By contributor Sam Russell, PA

Published Feb 17

Doors to Norwich Magistrates' Court — Ruby Smith, 35, of Eye in Suffolk, was sentenced at Norwich Magistrates’ Court for the theft of Jellycat soft toys. (PA)

A woman who stole almost £3,000 of Jellycat-brand soft toys from garden centres has been spared jail.

Norfolk Police said Ruby Smith was captured on CCTV walking around stores and placing the cuddly toys into her bag, her clothing or a child’s pram.

The force said the 35-year-old, of Eye in Suffolk, would then leave the shops without trying to pay.

Some of the Jellycat toys that police seized from Ruby Smith's home — Some of the Jellycat toys that police seized from Ruby Smith’s home, where around 40 of the collectables were found (Norfolk Police/ PA)

Smith admitted at an earlier hearing to seven counts of theft from a shop and was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Monday.

The seven incidents of shoplifting, between July and September last year, happened at three different garden centres in Bressingham, Wroxham and Thetford in Norfolk.

When police searched her home around 40 of the collectables were found and seized.

Composite image of some of the jellycat toyts that were seized — Norfolk Police said Smith stole almost £3,000 worth of the toys from garden centres (Norfolk Police/ PA)

Smith was sentenced to a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months, Norfolk Police said. She was ordered to pay £1,400 in compensation and a £154 victim surcharge.

Smith was made subject to electronic monitoring for three months and was also ordered to participate in an accredited programme for 40 days and a rehabilitation activity programme for up to seven days.

Jellycat, founded in London in 1999, is known for its plush toys, which retail on its website from around £12 for smaller items up to £200 for a giant one.