A former model and social media influencer has admitted stealing a haul of expensive Jellycat toys after falling into debt with the taxman. Imogen Carol, 26, was captured on CCTV shoplifting six of the popular plush toys, valued at a total of £160, from a farm shop in Cheshire.
The Incident
According to the court, Carol also picked up a packet of crisps to take to the till as a distraction from her theft. The influencer, who boasts 43,000 followers on Instagram, was later arrested by police, but the toys were never recovered. When questioned, she claimed she owed money to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs but insisted the theft was 'opportunistic' after giving in to 'temptation.'
Previous Convictions
Inquiries revealed that Carol was on bail at the time of the shoplifting and has six previous convictions for theft or attempted theft. Carol, from Biddulph, Staffordshire, initially denied wrongdoing but changed her plea on the first day of her trial after being shown the CCTV evidence.
Court Proceedings
She admitted theft, and magistrates in Crewe fined her £162. She was also ordered to pay £265 in costs, a victim surcharge, and £160 in compensation. The court heard that the theft took place on April 21 last year at the Lambing Shed, an award-winning farm shop and cafe set in 500 acres of farmland in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Prosecutor Gabrielle Harrison said: 'The CCTV covered the incident. Footage shows her circling the store for some time, picking up each teddy and popping it in her bag. She was circling numerous times and also collected crisps and some dip to pay for at the till, almost as a distraction to take away from the fact that she had numerous items in her bag.'
Mitigation
In mitigation, Carol's lawyer Lee Yates asked the justices to give her credit for the last-minute guilty plea. He said: 'This is a young lady who has had some significant financial difficulties in the past. At the time of the commission of this offence those difficulties had reared their head again and she saw an opportunity. The financial pressure relates to a former business that she was involved in which incurred some significant tax debts she is still responsible for. Debts to HMRC simply do not go away.'
Yates added: 'It was an opportunistic theft and she completely accepts that it is a wrong thing to do. She indicated that the temptation was simply too strong. She has stayed out of trouble subsequently.' He noted there had been a significant gap in her offending, with her last theft committed in 2019.
Sentencing
Sentencing Carol, Alan Jones, chairman of the bench, said: 'You committed this offence while on police bail and you do have some previous convictions. The fine would have been £180 but we have given you a small discount for coming today and pleading guilty.'
Jellycat Popularity
Jellycat was founded in London in 1999, but the popularity of the plush toys has exploded in recent years, and the firm now sells to customers in 77 countries worldwide. Prices on the company's website range from £15 for a variety of novel animals and food stuffs, including a 'peanut penguin' and 'bashful bunny,' to £200 for a 'Jellycat head giant.' The stuffed toys have been targeted by thieves looking to cash in on their popularity, with exclusive or limited edition plushies selling for upwards of £1,000 to collectors online.
