Off-Duty Police Officer Shoplifts from John Lewis

Ilana Davis prosecuted an off-duty police who stole aftershave from John Lewis.

The defendant was convicted after trial at Birmingham Crown Court. The Judge imposed a conditional discharge, saying the loss of their job was sufficient punishment.

The defence had an expert witness who said the defendant was incapable of forming the intent required to commit the offence. However, Ilana argued that the expert’s conclusions were based on the defendant’s explanations, without taking the prosecution evidence into account. The Judge agreed and ruled the expert’s evidence inadmissible.