Fine for high street thief who identified herself on social media

29-year-old ordered to compensate retail outlet she stole from

A Douglas woman has been ordered to pay compensation to a high street retailer after stealing nightwear on two occasions in less than a month.

Chloe Joughin, of Laburnum Avenue, told police she’d stole two sets of pyjamas and a pair of slippers because she was ‘poor’.

The 29-year-old entered Next, on Strand Street, on 17 January and took a Victoria’s Secret set valued at £49; on 4 February she returned and took men’s pyjamas and slippers valued at £42.

On both occasions she’d gone into the changing rooms with the goods before taking off the labels and leaving with the items without making any effort to pay.

At Douglas Courthouse she admitted two offences of theft.

The court heard police had published a CCTV image in an attempt to identify her on social media and Joughin had commented on the post confirming it was her.

Joughin’s advocate told the court his client had been suffering from mental health issues at the time adding: “Her mind was all over the place.”

He explained she’d taken the men’s items for a friend’s birthday present telling the court: “She didn’t, obviously, have the means to pay for it.”

Fining Joughin £450, and ordering her to pay prosecution costs of £125, magistrates told her: “It’s no way forward to steal. You’re going to make yourself poorer.”