A woman who stole £60 worth of chicken from a supermarket in Solihull has made an unusual request in court, asking to be sent to prison for as long as possible. Emma Britton, aged 51, targeted a Co-op Foods store in the West Midlands town on December 1 last year, with the incident being captured on clear CCTV footage.
Courtroom Plea for Maximum Sentence
At Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, February 5, Britton, who is currently in custody at HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire, admitted to theft from a shop. In a surprising turn of events, she declined the opportunity for an Intensive Supervision Court (ISC) order, which would have served as an alternative to jail involving regular probation meetings and monthly progress sessions with a judge.
Defence solicitor Alexandra Youster relayed Britton's explicit instructions to the court, stating: "Please send her to prison as long as you can." She added: "To her credit she accepts prison is the place she needs to be at this moment in time. She asks you give her that."
Judge's Response and Sentencing
District Judge Michelle Smith noted that the offence was aggravated by Britton's previous criminal record. She confirmed that immediate imprisonment was the only sentence available given the defendant's rejection of the ISC order. Judge Smith sentenced Britton to eight weeks in prison, a decision that prompted an immediate response from the defendant.
Appearing via prison video link, Britton asked: "Can't you give me longer?" Judge Smith maintained that the sentence was proportionate to the offence and firmly stated: "That's the decision of the court."
Additional Penalties Imposed
In addition to the eight-week prison term, Britton was ordered to pay £20 in compensation to the Co-op. This case highlights the legal consequences of shoplifting in Solihull and the judicial process for repeat offenders who seek custodial sentences over community-based alternatives.
The incident serves as a reminder of the serious approach taken by courts towards theft offences, particularly when defendants have prior records and when CCTV evidence is available. The Co-op in Solihull has not commented publicly on the case, but such prosecutions are part of broader efforts to combat retail crime in the region.
