It's John Reid Week.

Charia Groves is a persistent shoplifter. She has 18 previous convictions which, if you look into them, cover another 48 offences "taken into consideration" and the same number again left "on file".

Last month she was detained at a superstore in Blandmore for stowing a joint of lamb in her baby's pushchair (next to the baby), and I was dispatched to deal with her. Ordinarily the horror of having to call out Social Services is enough to deter any police officer from arresting a woman with a baby, but I have this old-fashioned notion that you shouldn't be able to use a child as a shield against the law. She was arrested and we waited an hour as she pretended to phone a number of relatives to come and collect little Charlye (the letters 'i' and 'y' are interchangeable in criminal circles).

Finally I summoned a social worker and Charia was whisked off to the slammer. The custody sergeant had no doubt that the moment she was released, Charia would be back down at the Virgin Megastore or another of her favourite shops, tucking away her spoils under Charlye's feet. The custody sergeant also had no doubt that Charia would never show up for court. Hence, she was kept in overnight and sent to court in the morning.

This is where John Reid stepped in. Charia was bailed from court in the hopeless expectation that she will not reappear until arrested on a warrant. But anyway it hardly matters, as she will never be sent to prison for her prolific shoplifting. It wouldn't do for Charlye to lose this important role model in his life.

Why do we bother.

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