Life doesn’t always go as planned. For two Leicestershire mothers, things spiraled into crime—again.
But instead of prison time, they’ve been handed another chance by the courts.
Joanna Braker, 46, and Tracey Lamb, 47, were caught shoplifting thousands of pounds worth of clothing from Zara in Solihull.
Despite their lengthy histories of theft, they managed to avoid jail—this time.
A Familiar Pattern of Theft
Both women were no strangers to this kind of crime.
They repeatedly targeted the Zara store at the Touchwood shopping centre, lifting clothes worth nearly £5,000 across several trips.
Their tactics weren’t subtle either.
On one occasion, they swiped nearly £2,000 worth of items, left, and then had the nerve to come back an hour later to try again—only to get caught.
To make matters worse, they weren’t acting alone.
A third accomplice, 54-year-old Rachel Edwards, was part of the scheme and had already received a suspended sentence for similar offences.
Edwards was even found hiding in a fitting room with an empty pushchair she used as a distraction.
Why They Did It: Personal Struggles and Past Mistakes
When the women stood before Recorder Luke Blackburn at Birmingham Crown Court, the conversation wasn’t just about shoplifting—it was about what led them there.
Braker, a mother of four, had hit rock bottom after losing her home and ending up in a poor-quality hotel.
Lamb, a mother of two, had her own battles—she was reeling from the breakdown of her relationship and had recently been diagnosed with ADHD.
Their defence teams painted pictures of women who were trying to pick up the pieces.
Braker, now working full-time in a care home, helps residents with cleaning and errands.
Lamb has even started her own reflexology business and built a steady client base through social media.
She confessed to acting as a “lookout” during the theft for a quick £100 when she was desperate for cash.
A Judge’s Reluctant Leniency
Despite their past convictions and the clear intent behind the thefts, the judge made a surprising decision.
Recorder Blackburn acknowledged how “nothing had stopped” these women from offending in the past.
Still, considering their age, personal struggles, and gaps in their offending, he opted not to send them straight to prison.
Instead, both Braker and Lamb were given 30-week sentences—suspended for 21 months.
They’ll also have to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity to help steer them away from further criminal behavior.
A Harsh Reality for Their Children
But while the court gave them another chance, the judge didn’t sugarcoat the emotional cost of their crimes—especially for their children.
He reminded both women that their kids were old enough to understand what their mothers had done.
“You saw the shops you stole from as an easy target,” Recorder Blackburn said. “Easy money. Dishonest money.
But that didn’t bother you much.” He added that their children now have to come to terms with the fact their mothers are, in the eyes of the law, thieves.
Looking Ahead
Whether this wake-up call will truly lead to change remains to be seen.
Both women claim they’re trying to rebuild their lives and take responsibility for their actions.
But as the court made clear, the consequences of repeated theft go far beyond criminal records—they leave a lasting impact on families, reputations, and communities.