A WOMAN stole almost £300 of perfume from John Lewis and then assaulted a man in the department store.

Jade Russell, of Willow Street, Reading, stole five perfumes worth £296 from the high street store on May 18, 2021.

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The 33-year-old also assaulted a man at the store on the same day, according to court files which show the incident taking place at the same address as the theft.

Russell committed another assault on Broad Street, the street upon which the main entrance to John Lewis is located.

She admitted the theft offence during a court hearing in June but denied two charges of assault in a court hearing in September.

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But Russell was convicted of two counts of assault in a third court hearing on October 21, 2021 at Reading Magistrates’ Court.

Here, she was handed a community order which includes a requirement to carry out up to 20 rehabilitation activity days.

She was also told to pay compensation of £60 and to stay under curfew for six weeks.