Pregnant porn star used empty pram for shoplifting spree to fund cocaine habit
A pregnant porn star managed to fuel her cocaine addiction by using an empty pram to raid supermarkets.
Roma Lawson, 34, from Herne Bay, Kent, also swiped a £2,500 diamond ring from a jewellery store after switching it for a £30 fake.
Canterbury Crown Court heard how she targeted the various stores over a five-week period at the beginning of April.
She swiped items from Aldi’s chiller aisle and raided gin and whiskey without paying from Sainsbury’s.
Lawson, who works under the name of Romana Ryder, stuffed six bottles into her empty pram.
Her thieving continued into May when she stole pet food from Tesco Express.
Ben Wild, prosecuting, said at points Lawson worked with others and sometimes used a bag for life rather than a pram.
She entered Claybrooks jewellers in Herne Bay, Kent, on May 27, to switch the £2,500 diamond ring for the £30 one.
The court heard Lawson committed the offences in April and May while she was on an eight-month suspended prison sentence.
She was handed this sentence after being arrested on suspicion of drug-driving in Margate, Kent, earlier this year, where she bit a police officer and ran off half-naked.
Lawson sunk her teeth into the office and ran through the streets of Margate without any trousers.
Ian Bond, in mitigation for Lawson, said the thefts came at a stressful time in her life.
He said: ‘She has had socio-economic problems, has spent considerable periods of time caring for her sick mum, and on a number of times has been in toxic relationships where she has been the victim of domestic violence.
‘The report also tells us about her cocaine use – it started off as an occasional thing, but sadly then became a serious addiction.
‘She had been living with her partner, she fell pregnant and shortly thereafter her partner was remanded in custody and then her mum’s health took a turn for the worse.
‘She’s due to have her baby in October.’
Lawson admitted six counts of shoplifting before magistrates and asked for one additional count to be taken into consideration.
The judge decided to give her one last chance and spared her a jail term to help her clean up her act.
Edmund Fowler said: ‘Your reliance on drugs in my view lies at the heart of your chaotic lifestyle.
‘I have taken the view that it would be unjust to activate your suspended sentence, but I am going to extend it.’
He added four months to Lawson’s eight-month suspended sentence and extended the period she must stay out of trouble from 18 months to two years.
She was also ordered to complete six months of drug rehabilitation and pay £154 in costs, although she was not specifically made to repay the shops from which she stole but is no longer barred from her hometown.
The judge added: ‘You have now got a 12-month sentence hanging over you for the next two years.
‘Put a foot wrong and as sure as night follows day, you will go to prison.’
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