Dartford Couple Steal Milk from Co-op to Fund Drug Habit

A couple stole food and baby milk from a store in Dartford because they had no money at the time. They later sold the stolen items because they needed money for drugs.

Karen Higgs and Mark Driver committed the theft at a Co-op store on Colney Road earlier in February. Higgs and Driver appeared in court in Medway, where they admitted to stealing from that Co-op.

Higgs, 47, and Driver, 52, were already on probation for previous shoplifting crimes when they committed this new offense. CCTV identified them afterward. Higgs lived on Keyes Road, and Driver lived on Burnham Road, both in Dartford, and they faced shoplifting charges.

They admitted guilt in court, which included violating their probation; Judge Nicola Fleck heard the case February 11. Driver got probation January 15, 2025, for 24 months for stealing chocolate from a Co-op, while Higgs got 12 months probation on October 11, 2024.

The prosecution described the crime, stating that on February 4, they stole from the Co-op and put milk and groceries into bags before leaving without paying. The store’s CCTV caught them, and staff and police identified them; they were arrested February 10, with their past crimes making it worse.

The defense lawyer spoke for Higgs, explaining that she has struggled with drugs for 20 years and had been doing better for two years but had recently relapsed. Losing benefits triggered this relapse, and she had no phone for internet access, which meant she couldn’t engage with the government; she sold the stolen items for drugs.

They are in a relationship but don’t live together right now, and both still use heroin. Their families support them, and they feel bad about the theft. The judge wants more information for the sentencing and wants reports on Higgs and Driver, as their records and violations are extensive.

They were released on bail and will return to court later, where the same court will sentence them.