Criminology lecturer dubbed Britain’s ‘poshest thief’ is spared jail

An ex-criminology lecturer has been spared prison again after her biggest shoplifting spree to date saw her steal £12,000 worth of alcohol.

Pauline Al Said nicknamed herself ‘the UK’s poshest thief’ after repeatedly stealing  hundreds of pounds worth of premium goods from Waitrose and M&S – including luxury cookware from Le Creuset.

In her latest crimewave which ‘seemed to target Sainsbury’s’, the Polish national, 35, stole £11,964 worth of goods, mostly ‘expensive vodka, gin, prosecco and wine’.

A court heard Al Said concealed expensive bottles of alcohol in her trolley by placing ‘Disney dresses and dressing gowns’ on top of them.

She was handed an an 18 month suspended prison sentence and will have to repay Sainsbury’s £1,800 – just over 15 per cent of what she stole.

Al Said gained notoriety after she and her then-husband Mark Wheatcroft swiped more than £1,000 worth of Le Creuset cookware, steaks, wine and gin. 

She moved to Southampton in 2007 and has worked as a lecturer in criminology at Bath Spa University.

Southampton Crown Court heard that in June last year, Al Said went to Sainsbury’s on six separate occasions to steal bottles of alcohol and packets of meat.

In one instance she even went to the supermarket’s café afterwards to read a stolen newspaper.

Prosecuting, Peter Shaw, said: ‘She conducted a campaign of shoplifting having been subject to a seven count indictment.

‘On June 22, 2024, at a Sainsbury’s in Southampton she stole clothing, washing products and alcohol. These were expensive bottles of vodka, gin, prosecco and wine.

‘On June 23 a security guard noticed large gaps in the alcohol shelves and checked CCTV. He saw the defendant taking them from the shelves into her trolley. Over 30 bottles of expensive alcohol were gone.

‘On June 26 she stole £2,032.79. The same security guard saw her on CCTV take two trolleys around the store.’

‘On February 4, 2025, she stole £1,865.80 from Sainsbury’s, firstly by putting Disney dresses and dressing gowns in her trolley and then concealing bottles of spirit under the gowns.

‘On the same day she attempted another theft. She entered in the afternoon and took men’s clothes and women’s coats and electric toothbrushes.

‘A security guard was told a woman was shoplifting so he detained her and called the police while he kept her in the store. She refused to give her details to the police until the security guard left the room.

‘She stole 32 bottles of alcohol from a different Sainsbury’s in July, totalling £798. She then went to the Café in the store to read a newspaper – which she had also stolen.

‘She went back but was detained and had a panic attack so paramedics had to take her home.’

Mr Shaw added: ‘She was also detained in Waitrose in July, where she resisted but was held until police arrived.

‘In another charge she has a co-defendant, Mr Wheatcroft, who pleaded not guilty. They allegedly stole another £2,200 from Sainsbury’s.

‘This was in the form of 58 bottles of alcohol, 15 packets of meat and a number of smaller items.

‘These items were stolen to be sold to fund Ms Al Said’s drug addiction.’

Mitigating, Emily Jarrod, told the court: ‘She is a highly, highly educated woman and has worked in the criminal justice system, although you might say that’s worse because she should understand the impact her actions have.

‘She has turned a corner and ended the relationship with Mr Wheatcroft in late 2025.

‘She started work as a life coach and has been living with her mum. She also has regained contact with her sister who she didn’t talk to while in this darker period in her life.’

Sentencing Al Said, Judge Gary Lucie said: ‘You stole almost £12,000 in a period of about a year in this campaign of theft.

‘It’s described as shoplifting but it’s theft. There’s no other way to describe it.

‘You stole mostly alcohol and seemed to target Sainsbury’s. They were items which were easily sold to buy drugs.

‘This was a campaign of high value shoplifting over nine months. But you have shown what I consider to be genuine remorse.

‘You are a highly intelligent woman and, as you have said, you could do a lot of good. I’m aware you have ended your toxic relationship.

‘Considering the value of the theft, I find a period of 44 weeks custody to be justified, but suspended for 18 months.’

Al Said was instructed to attend 28 rehabilitation days and she has been banned from Sainsbury’s for 18 months.

She has called herself the ‘UK’s poshest thief’ on the biography of her X account.

Last year, Al Said rebranded as a life coach and changed her professional name to Pauline Tusien. 

On her website, Al Said says she offers ‘life and career mentoring’ services, writing that she can ‘help people find clarity, when things feel complicated’. 

In addition, she writes: ‘I have worked as a senior criminologist and as a lecturer at several universities.

‘Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many people from a wide range of backgrounds, which has been both inspiring and rewarding.

‘My hobbies include travelling and connecting with people from all around the world.

‘I’m also a keen runner and an early riser, which helps me start each day with focus and energy.’