A woman has been jailed for six months after a shoplifting rampage.
Sophie Henderson, 38, of no fixed abode, was sent to prison after admitting she had breached a community order imposed for a string of thefts across Eastbourne.
Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard Henderson had been convicted of seven separate shop thefts committed in Eastbourne between April and October last year, with the stolen goods totalling more than £3,500.
Her offending began on April 22, 2025, when she stole multiple toys worth £49.97 from Kids Stuff Limited.
Henderson frequently targeted shops in Eastbourne town centre (Image: Google)
She went on to target the clothing retailer Fat Face on three separate occasions, stealing garments worth approximately £1,414 on May 29, a further £492 of clothing on June 5, and around £1,247.50 of clothing on June 17.
On August 18 she stole deodorant and shower gel worth £18 from Poundland, before stealing clothing valued at £358 from Next on September 17.
Her final offence came on October 22, when she took food and household items of an unknown value from a Co-op.
Henderson was handed community orders by Sussex (Central) Magistrates’ Court on November 11 and December 11, 2025, after being convicted of the thefts on October 31 and December 9.
However, she failed to keep in contact with the Probation Service following her sentencing on December 11, prompting her to be brought back before the court.
She stole £18 worth of goods from Poundland (Image: Google)
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Appearing in custody on April 10 2026, represented by solicitor Mr Kent, Henderson admitted the breach of her community order. A warrant previously issued for her arrest was withdrawn.
Magistrates revoked the community order and re-sentenced her for the original offences. She was committed to prison for six months.
The bench said the custodial sentence was justified because the offences were “so serious” and had been committed whilst she was subject to a court order.