Shoplifter barred from big stores

Lesley Adams, 37, was banned from all large supermarkets and told by a magistrate yesterday that her children had his sympathies for having her as a parent after she admitted shoplifting.

Adams, Lorraine Langley, 35, and Tricia Isaacs, 18, admitted stealing books and meat from Tesco in Bow, London.

David Fingleton, a Thames magistrate, said: 'All three of you are absolute leeches on society, congenital and habitual criminals who have been pillaging the stores.' They were remanded on bail until 2 March for pre-sentence reports.