Isle of Wight doorstep fraudster sentenced for shoplifting

Toni Balmer, of Parsonage Road in Sandown, appeared before the IW Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 3.

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting.

Prosecutor Serena Edwards said Balmer entered Tesco Express in Lake on August 31 and stole drinks, snacks, ready meals and other groceries worth £24.40.

On September 5, she took Heineken beer and food worth £29.70 from the Co-op on Sandown High Street.

Co-op on Sandown High Street (Image: IWCP)

She returned to the same store later that day, stealing Birra Moretti beer and more food worth £22.55.

Balmer targeted the High Street Co-op again on September 10, taking Red Bull, a latte and food valued at £19.85.

She was identified through CCTV footage and later told police she had been hungry.

Ms Edwards said Balmer was subject to a community order at the time, for a series of fraud offences.

As previously reported by the County Press, Balmer was sentenced earlier this year after conning four Sandown residents out of a combined £380.

She had falsely claimed her husband was critically ill and that she urgently needed money, when the cash was actually being used to fund her cocaine addiction.

For those offences, she was handed a 12-month community order and ordered to pay compensation to her victims.

Defending Balmer at Tuesday's hearing, Eva Ford said her client had been experiencing financial difficulties at the time of the shoplifting offences and had been stealing to eat.

Ms Ford said Balmer had complex mental health issues and a history of substance misuse.

However, she told magistrates that Balmer had not used drugs for almost six months and was working to maintain her sobriety.

The court also heard that Balmer had been complying with the requirements of her existing community order.

Magistrates ordered Balmer to pay compensation of £24.40 to Tesco and £72.10 to Co-op.

She was also fined £120 and ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge.