Shoplifter made thousands selling online

A SHOPLIFTER from Ipswich who made thousands by selling stolen goods on an auction website is paying the price today after appearing in court.

Marika Wall, of Copleston Road, may now have to pay back up to �10,000 after her internet money-making business was exposed.

Wall, who is 35 tomorrow, got an unwelcome birthday present when she was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.

She had previously pleaded guilty to one offence of theft from Marks & Spencer in Ipswich and two charges relating to the Proceeds of Crime Act, when she appeared before magistrates.

At the town's crown court Wall was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, for stealing a necklace, bra, knickers and a top worth a total of �66.50.

She was also given the same sentence to run concurrently for the proceeds of crime offences.

Wall was caught after the theft at Marks & Spencer on August 29 last year.

It was then discovered she had been stealing property in and around Ipswich between February 1 and August 30 last year.

She took the items from various shops and then put them on the internet to sell.

Many of the items were listed as 'brand new' and still had the shop tags on.

During the police investigation it was also discovered she had grabbed clothing from stores and gone to the tills claiming she had lost the receipts, before taking vouchers in exchange.

Originally specialist financial investigators believed Wall had made a �21,400 profit from her scam.

However, she disputed this amount and the total is believed to be somewhere between �9,000 and �10,000.

Following Wall's sentencing she will now have to appear at a proceeds of crime hearing where the money she gained from her crimes will have to be paid back.

The first hearing of this case has been listed at Ipswich Crown Court for 'mention' on November 11.