A SUPERMARKET has revoked the ban imposed on an elderly pensioner from Bournemouth accused of shoplifting a tin of cat food and a newspaper.

On Wednesday the Daily Echo revealed how 85-year-old Shelagh Angell, of Fritham Gardens, who suffers from dementia, went for a cup of tea in the café at Sainsburys, in Castlepoint, after completing her shop.

After finishing her drink the muddled pensioner and grandmother of 12 placed the cat food and newspaper, which she believes she picked up after walking through the checkout, in her bag, but she forgot to pay and was stopped by store detectives as she attempted to leave the supermarket, searched and then banned.

However, just days after the story appeared in the Daily Echo the supermarket giant announced it is revoking the ban on the widow, who has difficulty walking.

“Since this incident occurred new information has come to light from Mrs Angell’s family and upon review of this in line with our policy we have decided to revoke the ban,” a spokesman from Sainsbury’s said.

“We will be contacting Mrs Angell and her family in person and we hope she will continue to shop with us in future.”

The spokesman declined to explain what the new information was.

Mrs Angell’s son builder Julian Angell, 49, said he still believes his mother was dealt with heavy-handedly, but admitted she was delighted at the news.

“My mum’s happy and that’s what matters.”

He said. “In the letter they gave her banning her from the store they said they only ban customers as a last resort.

“I’m not sure that the situation was one of those occasions.

“Whether she goes back or not doesn’t matter, at least they have admitted they were over the top.”