Suspended sentence for shoplifter who nearly ran over security guard

A shoplifter nearly ran over a security guard and crashed through a car park barrier while trying to escape from County Mall, a court heard.
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Court news

Mary Totham, 29, of Gomshall Gardens, Kenley, Surrey, pleaded guilty to theft and dangerous driving.

A Crown Prosecution Service representative said she was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for the theft charge and eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for the dangerous driving charge.

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She was also ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work and take part in a rehabilitation programme.

She was disqualified from driving for 18 months and will have to complete an extended re-test before she can get her licence back.

A police statement at the time of the incident said two women with a young child stole items worth £110 from Debenhams.

With security guards chasing after them, they got into a Vauxhall Astra in County Mall car park and drove off, hitting one member of staff, and narrowly missing another.

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Prosecutors said the security guard she hit ended up clinging to the car bonnet for a few seconds before falling off, but he was lucky enough to escape with only some bruises to his leg.

The car drove through a car park barrier, breaking it, and headed out onto Three Bridges Road.

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