A violent shoplifter is starting an immediate prison sentence after being arrested by a police officer who was off duty in Swale.

On Thursday 15 February 2024, Rebecca Lee went into the Co-op in Aspen Drive, Minster-on-Sea and left without paying for items valued at around £50. She also threatened and assaulted a member of staff who attempted to stop her leaving.

A Kent Police sergeant who was off duty and in the area, was alerted to the incident and approached Lee outside the premises. He identified himself as an officer and she assaulted him with a pair of scissors, then bit him multiple times. Patrols attended the scene and she was taken into custody.

Lee, of no fixed address, was later charged by investigators from the Swale Victim Based Crime Team with theft, assault, assaulting an emergency worker and possessing a bladed article in a public place. She was also charged with a further count of theft from McColl’s in Milton Regis High Street on 3 February.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to all the indictments at her first hearing before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 17 February. She was immediately sent to prison for six months.

Inspector Barry Carr said:

‘Our constables are committed to tackling prolific thieves and, in this case, a dedicated officer chose to intervene whilst off duty when he saw a crime underway in a local Sheppey shop. He was assaulted by this particularly unpleasant and violent individual but detained her until the arrival of some of his colleagues.

‘Criminals who choose to target local businesses, particularly those who resort to violence, can expect to be charged and brought before the courts at the earliest opportunity.’

By Ed

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