A former criminology lecturer who branded herself 'the UK's poshest thief' has once again dodged a prison sentence, this time following her most extensive shoplifting campaign to date, which netted £12,000 worth of premium alcohol.
The 'Posh' Crime Spree Targeting Sainsbury's
Pauline Al Said, 35, has built a notorious reputation for stealing high-value goods from upmarket retailers like Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. Her latest series of thefts, however, appeared to focus squarely on Sainsbury's, where she pilfered £11,964 worth of expensive vodka, gin, prosecco, and wine.
Southampton Crown Court heard how the scheming ex-lectucer, who once taught at Bath Spa University, executed her thefts with deliberate planning. She was seen on CCTV concealing costly bottles in her shopping trolley underneath items like Disney dresses and dressing gowns. On one occasion in June 2024, a security guard noticed significant gaps on the alcohol shelves; a review of footage revealed Al Said had taken over 30 bottles.
A Detailed Campaign of Theft
Prosecutor Peter Shaw outlined a sustained nine-month campaign across multiple Sainsbury's stores in Southampton. The spree involved six separate visits, with some days seeing particularly high hauls. On 26 June 2024, she stole goods worth £2,032.79, even using two trolleys to navigate the store.
Her audacity extended beyond mere theft. In July, after stealing 32 bottles of alcohol worth £798 from one branch, she proceeded to the store's café to read a newspaper she had also taken without paying. Her activities were allegedly driven by a need to fund a drug addiction, with stolen goods sold on.
Al Said's notoriety began earlier when she, alongside her then-husband Mark Wheatcroft, stole over £1,000 worth of Le Creuset cookware, steaks, and alcohol. Despite attempting to reform and rebrand herself as a life coach—promising to help others 'start living a life that feels as good as it looks'—her past continued to surface.
Suspended Sentence and Path to Rehabilitation
In mitigation, her defence barrister Emily Jarrod described Al Said as a 'highly, highly educated woman' who had 'turned a corner'. She highlighted that Al Said had ended her 'toxic relationship' with Wheatcroft in late 2025, was living with her mother, and had reconnected with her sister.
Sentencing her, Judge Gary Lucie acknowledged the high value of the thefts and the targeted nature of the campaign. He imposed an 18-month suspended prison sentence, averting immediate custody. Al Said was also ordered to complete 28 rehabilitation activity days, repay Sainsbury's £1,800, and is banned from all Sainsbury's stores for 18 months.
Judge Lucie stated that while a custodial term of 44 weeks was justified, he was suspending it due to her 'genuine remorse' and potential for positive contribution, noting, 'you are a highly intelligent woman and, as you have said, you could do a lot of good.'
