GENEROUS strangers raised more than £9,000 in just 18 hours yesterday to pay court fines for a hungry woman who stole chocolate after her benefits were sanctioned.

Louisa Sewell, from Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to theft for taking a Mars bar four-pack costing 75p from a supermarket.

The 32-year-old, who claims she had not eaten in days, was ordered by Kidderminster magistrates’ court on August 8 to pay a total of £328.75 in fines and costs — 438 times the amount she shoplifted.

Chairman of the magistrates Maurice Lashford told her they did not “readily accept” someone would steal “just for being hungry.”

Her solicitor Susie Duncan said: “She fully accepts this offence of theft. She said she was really hungry. She had no money. She took the lowest value item she could find.”

Ms Sewell had vouchers for a foodbank but it was closed when she went, Ms Duncan added.

After learning her story, Reverend Stuart Campbell set up a crowd-fund for Ms Sewell, who faces jail if unable to find the cash.

He compared her case with that of rich 25-year-old City investment banker Edward Drew who was let off a custodial sentence on Wednesday after glassing two people in a nightclub, because the judge feared prison would ruin his career.

Rev Campbell, from Scotland, wrote on the fundraising page: “We can’t fix every injustice in the hideous, heartless society the UK has become.

“There are no borders on solidarity and for some reason this case hit us as a particularly sickening one. We can do something, even if it’s only a gesture,” he added.

Surplus funds will be donated to Scottish foodbanks and charities, Rev Campbell’s page states.
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