Woman who stole charity boxes from South Yorkshire shops and pubs is spared jail

Samantha Gerrard took a number of collection tins from from shops and pubs in Rotherham during February and March.

The 28-year-old, of Chadwick Drive, Maltby, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court yesterday where she admitted four counts of theft by finding.

But her 18-week sentence was suspended for 12 months, meaning she will not be locked up unless she commits another offence during the next year.

Gerrard was also given a three-year criminal behaviour order stipulating that she must not be in possession of any aerosol in public, unless prescribed by a medic, and must not touch a charity collection box anywhere in South Yorkshire.