Lembit Opik's cheeky ex 'caught shoplifting'

The former lover of ex-Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik has allegedly been caught shoplifting.

Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia was reportedly cautioned by police yesterday after being stopped by store detectives at a Cheshire supermarket, according to The Sun.

Mr Opik enjoyed a whirlwind romance with Gabriela and bought her to Shropshire and Mid Wales on a number of occasions.

The duo were high-profile lovers but their relationship ran out of steam and Gabriela exposed details in a kiss-and-tell story.

Yesterday, the 26-year-old pop star, who enjoyed a hit with her twin sister Monica as The Cheeky Girls, was allegedly caught taking £40 worth of groceries from Sainsbury's. An eyewitness said: "I saw her being dragged off by security. I recognised her face from the TV and couldn't believe what was going on. I don't know what she was playing at."

A police spokesman was reported to have said: "A 26-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of theft of grocery items. She was interviewed about the circumstances and subsequently given a caution for theft." Gabriela and Monica auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals before going on to achieve success with four top 10 hits between 2002 and 2004.

Their debut single Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) sold 1.2 million copies around the world and made the duo one of pop's biggest acts.

Gabriela and Mr Opik met on Channel Five's All Star Talent Show in 2006.