Shoplifter jailed for hitting guard with detergent bottle

A serial thief struck a security guard twice in the face with a stolen bottle of laundry detergent after being caught shoplifting steaks and ready meals from a Swansea city centre store 🛒⚖️

Leanne Rees, 37, of no fixed abode, walked into Tesco Express on St Helen’s Road last month and concealed food items under her jacket, including ready meals and steaks, before grabbing a detergent bottle and heading for the exit.

When the security guard confronted her about leaving without paying, Rees denied the accusation and tried to push past him. As he blocked her path, she struck him in the face with the plastic bottle.

Swansea Crown Court heard on Wednesday how Rees left the store but was approached again by the same security guard, prompting her to hit him a second time with the bottle before it was taken from her.

Prosecution barrister Sian Cutter told the court that Rees, who has 36 previous convictions mostly for theft-related incidents, escaped with the remaining stolen goods but was later arrested by police on The Kingsway – without the items.

Defence barrister Steven Burnell said Rees was having “difficulty receiving her benefits” at the time of the June 23 incident and is “really remorseful for what has happened”.

Judge Geraint Walters addressed Rees directly: “You went into the Tesco Express shop and helped yourself to a number of items including steaks. So many of our shops these days have to employ security guards – a few years ago that would have been unheard of.”

After pleading guilty to robbery, Rees was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.