A CRIMINOLOGY lecturer stole fancy cookware, boutique gin and prime steaks in two shoplifting sprees, a court heard.
Pauline Al Said, 33, was caught with a de-tagging device at a garden centre after pinching more than £500 of items, jurors heard.
When confronted, she gave the bags back.
One contained £400 of high-value spirits, including Mermaid brand gin and spiced rum.
A second had Le Creuset cookware and a Le Creuset condiment set. The goods were worth £581.43.
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When the store detective began to walk Al Said back to the shop, it is claimed her husband Mark Wheatcroft, 54, shouted “f*** off or I will lay you out” before throwing a punch at him.
Winchester crown court heard Al Said was caught by undercover security in a second shoplifting spree nine months later at Marks & Spencer.
Security staff saw her piling meat into large shopping bags. The security guard said when she realised he was watching she flicked him the middle finger.
She tried to leave the store but was caught by the guard.
In her bags were 33 thick-cut sirloin, rib-eye and fillet steaks, the court heard.
Prosecutor Mary Aspinall-Miles said: “They aren’t just any piece of meat — they are high-value pieces of meat.”
Al Said, of Southsea, Hants, also had nine bottles of wine. The total value of those goods was £570.42.
The former senior lecturer in criminology at Bath Spa University denies theft.
Wheatcroft, also of Southsea, denies theft and assault.
The trial continues.
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