Emma Britton, 51, who stole £60 worth of chicken from a Co-op store in Solihull on December 1, 2023, has requested to serve the longest possible prison sentence. The theft was caught on CCTV, and Britton, currently held at HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire, admitted to shop theft.
At Birmingham Magistrates' Court on February 5, Britton declined an Intensive Supervision Court (ISC) order—an alternative to imprisonment that includes regular probation meetings and monthly judicial reviews. Her defense solicitor, Alexandra Youster, conveyed Britton’s request: “Please send her to prison as long as you can.”
Judge Michelle Smith described the offense as aggravated due to Britton’s prior convictions and confirmed that immediate imprisonment was the only viable sentence after Britton turned down the ISC option. She sentenced Britton to eight weeks in prison.
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Responding via video link, Britton asked, “Can’t you give me longer?” but Judge Smith affirmed the sentence was proportionate to the crime, stating, “That’s the decision of the court.” Additionally, Britton was ordered to pay £20 in compensation to the Co-op.