Former Criminology Lecturer Who Boasted of Being ‘Britain’s Poshest Thief’ Set to Be Deported Unless She Meets the Conditions Given to Her Over the Terrible Things She Has Been Doing in Different Cities

A former criminology lecturer who once described herself as “Britain’s poshest thief” is facing deportation from the UK after being convicted of a series of shoplifting offences involving goods worth almost £13,000.

Pauline Al Said, 36, was born in Poland and previously worked as a criminology lecturer at Bath Spa University. She has now been warned by the Home Office that she could be removed from the country if she does not appeal the deportation decision by next month.

The case follows several theft convictions involving expensive goods taken from major shops. Al Said was convicted at Southampton Crown Court in January after stealing goods worth £11,964 during six separate visits to a Sainsbury’s store between June 2024 and July 2025.

The items taken included bottles of vodka, gin, prosecco and wine. The court heard that she targeted expensive products that could easily be sold to raise money for drugs.

Judge Gary Lucie sentenced her to 44 weeks in prison, but the sentence was suspended for 18 months. This means she avoided immediate imprisonment but must meet certain conditions during the suspension period.

The court also heard that the latest offences were not the first time Al Said had been caught stealing from shops. In 2024, she was convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court of stealing around £1,000 worth of goods, including alcohol, Le Creuset cookware and steaks from Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.

Her lawyer, Emily Jarrod, told the court that Al Said was a highly educated woman who had previously worked within the criminal justice system. She said this made the situation particularly serious because Al Said would have understood the possible consequences of her actions.

Despite the convictions, the judge said Al Said had shown genuine remorse for what she had done. She was banned from entering Sainsbury’s for 18 months and ordered to complete 28 days of rehabilitation work.

A source close to Al Said has also said that she has now stopped using drugs and alcohol. She currently offers life and career mentoring services online under her maiden name, Tusien.

Her legal battle is now focused on whether she can remain in the UK. Al Said has argued that deporting her would interfere with her private and family life because her mother and sister live in the country.

She was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in 2021 and has been living in Britain for several years. Her case has therefore raised questions about whether her long-term ties to the country should allow her to stay despite her criminal convictions.

However, after considering her case, a Home Office official concluded that the public interest in deporting her outweighed her right to a private and family life in the UK.

The decision means Al Said could now be removed from Britain if she fails to successfully challenge it. She has until next month to launch an appeal against the decision.

The deportation threat comes after a series of offences that have already resulted in criminal convictions and a suspended prison sentence. Her future in the UK will now depend on the outcome of any appeal she makes against the Home Office decision.