A woman who infamously branded herself the UK's 'poshest thief' has walked free from court after stealing £12,000 worth of alcohol from Sainsbury's, despite a previous conviction for shoplifting.
The Serial Shoplifter's Campaign
Pauline Al Said, 35, from Southampton, was convicted of stealing goods valued at £11,964 during a nine-month shoplifting campaign targeting the supermarket chain. The court heard she specifically took expensive vodka, gin, prosecco, and wine to fund a drug addiction.
Southampton Crown Court was told Al Said, a former lecturer at Bath Spa University, visited the store six times. To conceal the stolen bottles, she disguised them in her trolley beneath items like Disney dresses and dressing gowns. On one occasion, she even visited the store's cafe to read a newspaper she had also stolen.
A History of Theft and a Lenient Sentence
This is not Al Said's first encounter with the law. In 2024, she gained notoriety after being convicted of stealing over £1,000 worth of Le Creuset cookware, wine, gin, and premium steaks. She and her husband received a £2,500 fine after also raiding a garden centre and Marks & Spencer.
Despite this history, Judge Gary Lucie handed her an 18-month suspended prison sentence, suspending a 44-week custodial term. He stated she had shown "genuine remorse" and noted she was a "highly intelligent woman" who "could do a lot of good." The judge also acknowledged she had ended a "toxic relationship."
Consequences and a New Venture
As part of her sentence, Al Said, who now uses the name Pauline Tusien, was ordered to repay Sainsbury's £1,800—a fraction of the total value stolen. She is also banned from entering any Sainsbury's store for the duration of her sentence and must attend 28 rehabilitation days.
In mitigation, her defence lawyer, Emily Jarrod, described Al Said as a "highly, highly educated woman" who had "turned a corner." The court also heard that Al Said has launched a website offering "life and career mentoring" and wellbeing support, claiming she can "help people find clarity, when things feel complicated."
