Matalan thieves sentenced for hiding clothes under pushchairs

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A MAN, two women and a teenager stole almost £600 worth of clothes by hiding them in pushchairs.

Kimberley Malins, 23 and of Leysters Close in Winyates, Paige Malins, 18 and of Northleach Close in Churchill, Jay Dyson, 20 and of Beech Tree Close in Batchley and a 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted theft at Redditch Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (February 26).

The court heard how the four targeted Matalan on Nailsworth Road, on February 14, just before 1pm, where they took items from clothing rails and hid them in the compartments of two pushchairs which had children in them.

Staff and security guards monitored the group as they continued to steal items from the shop before stopping Paige Malins and Dyson outside the store.

All four were arrested and £594 worth of stock was recovered.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury said: “I’m not going to blame anyone in particular for the plan but someone was clearly responsible for it. You all need a certain amount of punishment for what you have done.”

Both Malin sisters were ordered to wear an electronic tag for eight weeks and follow a curfew from 7pm until 6am, while Dyson was also made to wear a tag and follow the same curfew for 12 weeks.

All three also had to pay a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £38.25.

The 15-year-old girl was given a 6 month referral order which was added onto a three month referral order she was already completing.

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