A Bulgarian woman has been given a suspended jail sentence after she and a schoolgirl were spotted trying to steal purses from shoppers in Huddersfield.

Suspicions were first raised about the activities of Gergina Yankova and a 14-year-old girl around 11.20 am on 26 July last year when a security guard at Marks & Spencer noticed them on CCTV holding up garments in front of them without any apparent reason.

Eleanor Fry prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court today as he watched another shopper walked past the pair and he saw Yankova attempt to put her hand through the garment she was holding to reach into that person’s handbag.

The customer noticed, looked at her and walked off, but the pair then immediately began to follow an elderly lady around the shop and the schoolgirl was seen to put her hand round the garment into another shopper’s bag.

The security guard then notified other stores to be on the alert and a security guard at Boots came to his assistance and saw the pair go into the Monsoon store where the girl was seen to put her hand into another bag. As the shopper moved away she quickly pulled her hand out again.

Another guard joined in keeping watch on them and the pair were seen to enter the Cancer Research shop where Yankova was seen to talk to a customer while her accomplice unzipped that woman’s bag.

Gillian Batts representing Yankova said it was an isolated incident, they were not successful and were quickly spotted by security staff. She also had health problems and was awaiting further hospital treatment.

Yankova, 37, of Harborough Avenue, Sheffield admitted conspiracy to steal and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay £400 costs and the victim surcharge of £80.

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