A St Paul's Cray woman intent on stealing from Tesco to highlight unfairness has pulled out.

Jean Roberts, of Petersham Drive, had planned on shoplifting from Tesco's superstore in Sidcup, but had a change of heart last Saturday.

She says her benefits payments were suspended after her partner temporarily moved out of the house.

After her benefits were withheld, the 58-year-old said she was resorting to criminal activities to highlight her struggles.

However, she changed her mind at the last minute after protests from her family that she would have a criminal record.

Ms Roberts said: "I didn't go through with it. It would have upset too many people. I changed my mind at the last minute.

"I've borrowed some money from people for gas and electric, but I daren't turn anything on."

Despite having family, she says she would rather spend Christmas alone as she does not think she is the best company right now.

She added: "I just want to cancel Christmas altogether.

"I don't know what I'll do. I could go to food banks but then you have to cook it all and I don't have that much on the electric, I've got an electric cooker.

"If it goes off I suppose I'll be there with a candle under the duvet."

It was likely she would eat a Fray Bentos steak and kidney pie on the big day, she admitted.

Formerly a carer for 20 years, she had to leave in 2008 due to illness.

Ms Roberts added: "I'm not able to do that sort of work anymore. I can't even lift my own shopping let alone other people's."

With it not likely she will receive any money until the New Year, she claims, she wants the government to change its ways.

She added: "I just want local councillors and everyone else whose job it is to sort out the laws.

"There's a loophole in the law that's leaving people like me hungry and with no gas or electricity.

"That shouldn't have happened in this day and age."

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