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Chelsea ‘Langoustine Lifter’ Fined £350 After Guilty Plea

Viral CCTV from Elystan Street drew wide attention to linked thefts across nearby shops.

Overview

  • Metropolitan Police confirm Ekaterina Frolova, 46, pleaded guilty in December and was fined £350 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 5, avoiding a custodial sentence.
  • She was arrested on December 12 and admitted offences tied to multiple incidents in late 2025 across Chelsea.
  • The charges covered theft by finding of a langoustine delivery worth about £200 at Elystan Street on November 25, theft and burglary at Petals at Bibendum on Fulham Road, and two thefts from Zen Pharmacy on Beauchamp Place.
  • CCTV of the restaurant incident, shared by owner Phil Howard, fuelled online attention and reinforced the police response and subsequent media coverage.
  • Affected businesses report tougher security measures, including securing goods with fishing wire, hiring a guard, and changing opening and packing procedures to deter opportunistic theft.