Salisbury shoplifter racially harassed Boots manager in Watford

Kobie Frankham, of Pilgrims Way, threw a stolen moisturiser at Savan Majithia, who was the manager of a Boots shop in Watford, and criminally damaged his Hugo Boss jacket when she was confronted on October 19, 2021.

The 32-year-old was spotted putting Ted Baker and Loreal gift sets, a No7 day cream and a Nivea Q10 serum into her bag and left the shop without paying before Mr Majithia stopped her outside.

Frankham began to argue and threw one of the products out of her bag, but staff believed she had stolen more and continued to question her. This is when she threw moisturiser at Mr Majithia and damaged his £300 coat.

Appearing “angry” and “kicking out”, Frankham swore at Mr Majithia and used a racist term. She was found by police officers and arrested at a Tesco petrol station a few hours later.

Frankham then assaulted Gemma Coull, the owner of On Point Aesthetics, which operates out of Studio 15 in Milford Street, on October 27, 2023.

Frankham assaulted Gemma Coull at Studio 15. (Image: Newsquest)

At 3.20pm Frankham turned up unannounced to the beauty salon and had a relatively short conversation with Mrs Coull before she was asked to leave.

CCTV footage showed Frankham heading for the exit when she took hold of Mrs Coull’s hair and pulled it in an “entirely unnecessary physical act” while children were present according to Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, at Salisbury Magistrates Court on December 18.

The court heard how Frankham had been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, anxiety and depression before moving to Wiltshire to “sever old connections” and “rebuild her life” following an abusive relationship.

The single mother’s duty solicitor claimed she is “kept awake thinking about what happened in the past”.

‘Violent shoplifters go to prison’

District Judge Pattinson was considering a custodial sentence for Frankham, he said: “When I heard the facts of this case I very much had in mind a custodial sentence because violent shoplifters go to prison.

“Similarly with Miss Coull because people who react like that and attack go inside. People who have contact with the public day in and day out deserve protection from the courts.

“I accept there have been some positive changes in your life recently and some family difficulties. Therefore I’m prepared to step back from what otherwise would have been custody.”

Frankham was sentenced to an 18-month community order and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She must also pay £150 compensation to both victims.

A restraining order was imposed preventing Frankham from contacting Miss Coull or attending Milford Street in Salisbury for one year.

Speaking from the dock, Frankham told Judge Pattinson: “I have had my ear bitten off and I was put in intensive care.”

Judge Pattinson responded: “You’re the one who stole the products. If you go in and steal from Boots I don’t think you can expect an awful lot of sympathy.

“You’re the one who assaulted her and you’re the one who was racially abusive. Quite frankly you can count yourself lucky that I’m not imposing a custodial sentence.”