Ashamed mum who stole Jellycat toys for her new grandkids avoids prison

A grandmother narrowly avoided jail for shoplifting £440-worth of prized Jellycat toys – after claiming she only wanted to spoil her newborn grandkids. 

Linda Adams, 63, looted around 20 of the collectable soft toys in two separate raids after her two daughters gave birth within eight days of each other, Sefton Magistrates’ Court heard. 

Jobless Adams and ex-partner Peter Allen, 65, were arrested after CCTV captures them stuffing them into bags at Waterstones stores in Southport and Birkenhead, Merseyside. 

The pair were released pending further investigation but Allen was subsequently caught stealing more plushies worth £240 from Warrington’s Waterstones, in Cheshire. 

Now Adams, of Tranmere, and Allen, of Prenton on The Wirral, admitted theft and were each fined £80. Allen was fined a further £80 at an earlier hearing over the Warrington thefts. They were also each ordered to pay costs of £85 and £220.39.

Chairwoman Delyth Hargreaves said: “We have taken into consideration the previous history and where possible awarded you credit for the prompt guilty pleas. 

“We have used our discretion and waived the victim surcharge because you will have to pay the compensation which is a priority.” 

Founded in London 1999, the company Jellycat expanded into the US in 2001 and now sells its plush toys in 77 countries. 

Prices on the company’s website for the animal teddies range from £13 for a ‘bashful beige bunny’ to £200 for a Jellycat Head Giant. 

However, they have also become targeted by thieves looking to cash in on their popularity by selling them online. 

Prosecutor Andrew Page explained how on 25th May 2024 at 2.15pm both defendants entered the Southport branch of Waterstones, made their way to the back where the soft toys were displayed.

Mr Page said: “Adams had three separate bags, two over her shoulder and a Tesco bag over her arm. Allen selected multiple toys, valued at £229.89, and concealed them in the bags. 

“They both left the store some six minutes after they entered passing all points of payment. The following day, the defendants carried out a very similar theft at the Birkenhead branch of Waterstone. This time they got away with toys valued at £210.90.” 

The couple were recognised by a local police constable who watched CCTV footage of the thefts. 

Mr Page added: “Ms Adams was interviewed and admitted on both occasions to being the person in the separate Waterstone stores. She said the Jellycat toys were for her granddaughters and in the company of ex-partner Mr Allen. 

“She was not aware of the price of the items or any or how much she took. She said she was encouraged in the theft by Mr Allen and gave in to temptation on both occasions. 

“Ms Adams said she was struggling with mental health issues and was ashamed for her actions. Mr Allen admitted committing the two shop thefts at Southport and Birkenhead and said he stole the toys for the grandkids. 

“He accepted he encouraged Ms Adams. He said he is the dishonest one. He said it was a stupid thing to do. He also said he was struggling with his mental health.”

Marcella Slater, defending, said: “Ms Adams was struggling financially. She was in receipt of Universal Credit, £300 per month, although that’s changed since May and she is now on Universal Credit of £700 per month. 

“That is a higher Universal Credit taking into consideration her inability to work. She is also in the process of making an application for PIP as well. 

“Her two daughters were due babies at the same time and they gave birth within eight days of each other. She did not have the finances to buy the children presents, that is why those items were not recovered. 

“They were not sold on but given as gifts to the grandchildren that were subsequently born. Mr Allen egged on Ms Adams.”