Feltwell fraudster was a ‘compulsive shopper’

A ‘compulsive shopper’ who switched tags on clothes in order to obtain refunds she was not entitled to is still in denial, a court has heard.

Olajumoke Oloyede was found guilty after trial of two counts of fraud by false representation and returned to Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court on Monday for sentencing.

The 41-year-old, of St Nicholas Drive, Feltwell, committed the offences at a shop at RAF Lakenheath on two separate dates in October, 2014.

Prosecuting, Tess Mann told magistrates Oloyede had bought a number of clothes from the base’s BXtra store in September, last year.

She returned similar items the following month, with reattached labels and price tags, and received full cash refunds totalling £126.40.

Based on her pre-sentence report, probation officer Fran Lewis told magistrates Oloyede was ‘very embarrassed and very upset’ about being in court.

She said Oloyede described herself as a ‘compulsive shopper’ but was still in denial about having committed the crimes.

She added that Oloyede had been living in a ‘very abusive’ relationship with her husband of three years and had been diagnosed with psychological problems as a result of ‘traumatic incidents of domestic violence’.

In mitigation, Lyndon Davies said going through a long court process had been ‘quite a severe punishment in itself’.

Oloyede received a conditional discharge of 12 months and was ordered to pay £126.40 in compensation, £200 towards costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The magistrates made a deprivation of property order in respect of the clothes involved in the crimes.