BISHOP: BOOTS LOOTER JAILED FOR 16 MONTHS

More than 200 looters caused a ‘rush-hour in Boots’ as they swooped on the chemist to steal cosmetics and electrical goods, a court heard today (thurs).

Police had ‘lost control’ as Tania Bishop, 47, made three separate trips to the shop only to have the stolen electric toothbrushes swiped by other rioters.

The shop in the Walworth Road, south London, lost over £40,000 worth of goods.

Lesley Jones, prosecuting, told Inner London Crown Court: ‘About 200 persons were involved in looting of that store.

‘The manager closed the shop early in anticipation of riots and left the lights on to improve the quality of the CCTV.

‘Bishop was seen in the store three times and removed items over a 15-minute period.’

The court heard she grabbed three Oral B electric gadgets, foundation make-up and perfume.

Judge Roger Chapple told Bishop: ‘You didn’t break in but you took advantage of the mayhem on the streets of London.

‘The photo seems to speak volumes.

‘You plainly weren’t alone.

‘It is as though it is rush-hour in Boots, with everyone doing their level best to clear the shelves.

‘I look at that photo with some despair because it brings home to me how prepared people were to commit criminal offences and conveys the impression that the police had simply lost control.’

The court heard Bishop has 101 previous convictions.

She waved to friends and family in the public gallery as she was jailed for 16 months.

Bishop, of East Street, Walworth, southeast London, admitted burglary.

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