A former model and social media influencer stole a haul of expensive Jellycat toys after getting into debt with the taxman.

Imogen Carol, 26, was caught on CCTV shoplifting six of the popular plush toys, worth a total of £160, from a farm shop.

She also picked up a packet of crisps to take through to the till to draw attention away from her thieving, a court heard.

Carol, who has 43,000 followers on Instagram, was arrested later by police but the toys were never recovered.

When quizzed she said she owed cash to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs but insisted she had stolen the items 'opportunistically' after succumbing to 'temptation.'

Inquiries revealed she was on bail at the time of the shoplifting and has six previous convictions for theft or attempted theft.

Carol, of Biddulph, Staffordshire, initially denied wrongdoing but changed her plea on the first day of her trial after being presented with the CCTV evidence. 

She admitted theft and magistrates, sitting in Crewe, fined her £162. She was also ordered to pay £265 in costs, a victim surcharge and £160 in compensation.

Jellycat was founded in London 1999, but the popularity of the plush toys has exploded in recent years and the firm now sells to customers in 77 countries around the world. 

Prices on the company's website range from £15 for a variety of novel animals and food stuffs, including a ‘peanut penguin’ and ‘bashful bunny' to £200 for a ‘Jellycat head giant’.

The stuffed toys have been targeted by thieves looking to cash in on their popularity, with exclusive or limited edition plushies selling for upwards of £1,000 to collectors online.

Crewe Magistrates Court heard that the theft took place on April 21 last year when Carol visited the Lambing Shed, an award winning farm shop and cafe set in 500 acres of farmland, in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Gabrielle Harrison, prosecuting, said: ‘The CCTV covered the incident. Footage shows her circling the store for some time, picking up each teddy and popping it in her bag.

‘She was circling numerous times and also collected crisps and some dip to pay for at the till, almost as a distraction to take away from the fact that she had numerous items in her bag.

‘There is some harm to the store and the items were not recovered. She is 26 years of age and has six convictions for 11 offences. Six of those offences are for theft or attempted theft.’

In mitigation, Carol’s lawyer Lee Yates asked JPs to give her credit for the last minute guilty plea.

‘This is a young lady who has had some significant financial difficulties in the past,’ he said.

‘At the time of the commission of this offence those difficulties had reared their head again and she saw an opportunity. The financial pressure relates to a former business that she was involved in which incurred some significant tax debts she is still responsible for. Debts to HMRC simply do not go away.

‘It was an opportunistic theft and she completely accepts that it is a wrong thing to do.

‘She indicated that the temptation was simply too strong. She has stayed out of trouble subsequently.’

Mr Yates said there had been a significant gap in her offending, with her last theft committed in 2019.

Sentencing Carol, Alan Jones, chairman of the bench, said: ‘You committed this offence while on police bail and you do have some previous convictions. 

'The fine would have been £180 but we have given you a small discount for coming today and pleading guilty.'