A warrant not backed with bail was issued by Didcot magistrates for the arrest of Jennifer Hughes, 39, of Mayler Street, Reading, for the theft of a handbag with credit cards and a cheque book belonging to Barbara Tompsett at Wallingford, on April 3.

She is also accused of obtaining goods from Waitrose, Abingdon, using a stolen cheque, attempting to obtain cash by deception and wilfully obstructing a police officer.