Four women have been warned they face jail for a shoplifting plot that saw them steal cosmetics and beauty products worth more than £30,000.
The Romanian nationals targeted make-up and beauty counters in supermarkets and high street stores across Norfolk during a shoplifting spree that saw them steal thousands of pounds worth of products on each occasion.
Appearing at Norwich Crown Court, Grama Zorila, 30, Ana Iosif, 26, and Denisa-ionela Simion, 20, Andrea Ion, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal between May 1 and June 1 last year.
READ MORE: Women accused of £30k cosmetics shoplifting spree
Recorder Nicola Fitches told the women, who all hail from Tottenham, Ilford and Wood Green in London, that they faced the prospect of lengthy jail terms when they are sentenced on June 28.
“Just because I’m asking for pre-sentence reports to be done does not mean that all options, including immediate custody, are not open,” she added.
Among the locations they were said to have targeted in month-long spree was King’s Lynn where cosmetics worth £4,389 were stolen from Sainsbury’s and £4,000 from Boots.
Cosmetics and clothes worth £4,000 are also said to have been stolen from the town's Next outlet, with £3,800 worth of cosmetics taken from Sainsbury’s in Thetford.
READ MORE: Romanian pair stole make-up worth £4k across Norfolk
Cosmetics and beauty items are a favourite target for shoplifting gangs because of their small size, high value and relative ease with which they can be resold.
Three of the women had been facing a trial after previously denying the charge but had now accepted it on a basis of plea, the court was told.
Two other co-defendants, Ancuta-alexandra Ion, 27, and Elena Zorila, 35, are still being sought by police after arrest warrants were issued when they failed to appear in court at an earlier hearing.
Zorila, Iosif, and Simion were released on conditional bail pending sentencing. Andrea Ion has been remanded in custody.
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