Wanted to see if she could '˜get away with it' local court told

Claire Anne Donnelly (44), Newforge Road, Magheralin, was put on probation for 12 months last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

She had pleaded guilty at an earlier court to stealing coffee and toothbrushes valued at £11 from Sainsbury’s and a dog harness worth £10 from Pets at Home on October 22 last year.

The case had been adjourned so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

The court heard that at 4pm in Sainsbury’s she was seen putting items into a bag in her trolley.

At the check out she paid for the items in the trolley but not those in the bag.

Staff saw her go into another shop where took the dog harness without paying for it.

She claimed she forgot to pay.

When interviewed by police she made a full admission and she said risked taking the items to see if she could get away with it.

The goods were fit for re-sale.

A solicitor representing Donnelly said she had a relevant record but there was a four year break in her offending from 2011.

She explained her client had a long standing addiction to alcohol and had mental health issues.

The solicitor added that Donnelly had expressed remorse for her actions and would be willing to engage with probation.

Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall said she did not see any reason why the defendant should not be given the benefit of a further probation order.