Bath magistrates this week ordered a warrant without bail for a serial shoplifter who failed to turn up in court to be sentenced.
Samantha Selway | Photo © Avon & Somerset Police
At her appearance in custody on 27th August, Samantha Selway, of Loxton Drive, Twerton, had admitted eight thefts from the One Stop store at The Hollow in Southdown in July and August, despite having been banned from entering the shop following four shoplifting offences she had admitted in June.
In June, Selway had also admitted jointly stealing a £19,000 car.
She had been remanded in custody at her appearance on 27th August for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
However, the Probation Service had not been able to interview her when she was on remand in prison due to a faulty live link.
When Selway was brought back before the magistrates on 17th September, she was granted conditional bail and had been due to re-appear on Wednesday, 8th October,
The court heard from a probation officer that Selway had missed her appointment for the pre-sentence report but would be offered one if she turned up at court that day.
She said Selway’s flat had been “cuckooed” while she was in custody.
Cuckooing is when criminals take over the home of another person without their consent to use it for specified criminal activity.
Selway had been drug-free when she left prison, but had since been given drugs, said Mrs Silver.
The chair of the bench said: “We can give her the opportunity but she is in the last chance saloon today.”
However, Selway did not turn up that afternoon and a warrant was issued.
