Ex-criminology lecturer barred from UK supermarket after £12,000 shoplifting spree

A former criminology lecturer who now works as a life coach has been banned from all Sainsbury’s stores in England and Wales for 18 months after stealing almost £12,000 in a series of thefts, Bournemouth Echo reported on Monday.

She dubbed herself “the UK’s poshest thief” after repeatedly taking hundreds of pounds’ worth of high-end items from Waitrose and M&S, including luxury Le Creuset cookware, Daily  Mail also stated.

In her most recent spree, which appeared to focus on Sainsbury’s, the 35-year-old Polish national stole £11,964 in goods, mainly premium vodka, gin, prosecco, and wine.

Pauline Marta Al Said entered supermarkets with trolleys and took clothes and toilet roll, before placing dozens of bottles of alcohol underneath, the court heard.

She would then simply walk out, with security only noticing the missing stock when large gaps appeared on the shelves.

Al Said stole “goods to order, basically for drugs,” Judge Gary Lucie said as he sentenced her at Southampton Crown Court on Friday.

Between January and February 2024, she stole thousands of pounds of goods, including food, alcohol, clothing, and electronics from Sainsbury’s in Hedge End.

She also admitted to theft of £1,194.50 from Sainsbury’s in Ferndown, Dorset on 22 July 2024, and £2,200 from Sainsbury’s in Hook on 10 May 2025.

She additionally stole from Waitrose in Westquay on 17 September 2024. In total, she committed seven incidents of theft from Sainsbury’s, taking £11,964 of goods.

Peter Shaw, prosecuting, described her crimes as a “campaign” of thefts.

Al Said, whose address was given as Sedgley Road, Southsea, has previous convictions for theft, drug driving, and possession of an offensive weapon. She was also on bail at the time of some offences.

Mitigating, Emily Jarron told the court that Al Said had turned her life around since the high-value thefts and intends to move away from Southampton.

“She feels this city, this area, it’s somewhere where she has had bad experiences and she wants to rebuild her life,” Jarron said.

Sentencing Al Said to 44 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, Judge Lucie added: “You have now taken steps to address your actions and your offending behaviour.

“You are clearly an intelligent lady. You can do good if you put your mind to it.”

Al Said must also complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 100 hours of unpaid work, and pay £1,800 in compensation.