A CLEANER has avoided jail after stealing more than £800 worth of health products from a Wrexham supermarket.

Ionela Iosfcea, of Copes Avenue in Stoke On Trent, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old had previously been convicted of the theft, which happened in July of 2021 at Sainsbury's in the town.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said on July 7 at around midday, Iosfcea was seen on CCTV putting a large amount of goods in bags and leaving without making payment.

These included 123 packets of Oral B toothbrushes, 35 packets of Gillette razor blades, anti-smoking mouth spray and anti-smoking gum.

Altogether the value of the items taken came to £864.50. 

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She was arrested at Crewe railway station and all of the stolen items were recovered from a Ford Focus, which had been used to move the stolen items.

Defending herself at the hearing, with the assistance of a Romanian interpreter, the defendant told the court she knew she was guilty and that she was "very sorry."

She told the court she works as a cleaner and that the offence "won't happen again."

District Judge Gwyn Jones told her: "You travelled to North Wales and stole high value goods.

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"It became very clear to the store staff that you had gone down the health and beauty aisle and removed a large amount of items.

"All of the items were ones that could be sold - it has all the hallmarks of a professional shoplifting venture."

Iosfcea had no previous convictions in England or Wales, but had served a custodial sentence in Romania.

The District Judge handed down an 18 week sentence, but suspended it for a year.

She was prohibited from entering any Sainsbury's store in England or Wales for 12 months and ordered to pay £770 costs, as well as a £128 victim surcharge.

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