Woman stole nearly £3,000 worth of Jellycat toys from garden centres

A woman who stole Jellycat soft toys worth almost £3,000 from garden centres in Norfolk has been sentenced for shoplifting.

Ruby Smith, 35, from Eye in Suffolk, was handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, after admitting seven counts of theft from a shop at an earlier hearing, Norfolk Police said.

Smith, who was found to have around 40 of the collectables when police raided her home, was also ordered to pay £1,400 in compensation and a £154 victim surcharge at Norwich Crown Court on Monday.

Undated Norfolk Police handout images of some of the Jellycat toys that police seized from Ruby Smith’s home, where around 40 of the collectables were found. Smith who stole almost £3,000 of Jellycat-brand soft toys from garden centres has been spared jail. Norfolk Police said Ruby Smith was captured on CCTV walking around stores and placing the cuddly toys into her bag, her clothing or a child’s pram. Issue date: Monday February 17, 2025.
Image: Ruby Smith stole almost £3,000 of Jellycat-brand soft toys. Pic: PA

She was caught on CCTV walking around stores and putting the cuddly toys into her bag, her clothing, or a child's pram before walking out without paying.

The seven incidents of shoplifting, between July and September last year, happened at three different Norfolk garden centres in Bressingham, Wroxham, and Thetford.

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Smith was also made subject to electronic monitoring for three months and was ordered to attend an accredited programme for 40 days and complete up to seven days at a rehabilitation activity programme.

Jellycat, founded in London in 1999, is known for its plush toys, which retail on its website from around £12 for smaller items up to £200 for a giant one.