A serial shoplifter, Gabriella Stan, 25, has been sentenced to two years in prison for a sustained campaign of theft targeting Boots stores across London and Wales.

Nine-Month Theft Spree

Stan, originally from Romania, systematically stole high-value makeup and beauty products, amassing a haul estimated at £100,000 over a nine-month period. The thefts occurred between May 2nd and December 7th, 2025.

Details of the Crimes

Shocking CCTV footage released shows Stan, often accompanied by an unidentified female accomplice, casually filling a bag with Maybelline and other cosmetics while appearing to scan for security personnel. The pair operated across multiple London boroughs including Ealing, Wandsworth, Camden, and Kensington.

Their activities extended as far as Pontypridd in Wales. A single raid at a Boots store in Richmond last October netted approximately £5,000 worth of goods.

Tactics and Losses

The prosecution detailed how the pair employed tactics to distract security guards while Stan and her accomplice removed stolen items. Boots reported a total loss of £143,220 due to Stan’s activities.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Defence counsel, Dhanes Charme, argued that Stan was acting under the direction of others, highlighting her limited literacy skills – she is unable to read or write. A poignant moment occurred when it was revealed that Stan’s husband had not visited her since her arrest and is believed to have abandoned her.

Stan pleaded guilty to 14 charges of theft and requested that a further 36 offences be taken into consideration. Judge Stephen Tomlinson, presiding over the case at Southwark Crown Court, acknowledged the significant planning involved.

While Boots initially estimated their losses at over £143,000, the judge based the sentencing on the more conservative figure of £100,000. Stan, aided by a Romanian interpreter, was sentenced to two years imprisonment and will serve half of that term before being eligible for release on licence.

Further Restrictions and Police Response

She has been banned from entering any Boots store across the United Kingdom until April 28th, 2031. The Metropolitan Police, through Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, emphasized their commitment to tackling retail crime.

They reported a significant increase in solved cases and arrests in the past year, contributing to a nearly four percent decrease in shoplifting incidents across London – equating to 3,200 fewer victims.