Former employee of Lisburn store pleads guilty to theft

Kerry McCormick, 42, whose address was given as Ballyriver Walk in Ballynahinch, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with theft from Sally Beauty at the Riverside Centre in Lisburn.

The court heard that on October 28, 2024 the defendant entered Sally Beauty. She was identified as a former employee and had conversations with staff.

She walked around the store, placing items into a bag and into her leggings before leaving without paying,

The items, which were not recovered, were said to be valued at £70.

The defendant made full admissions.

A defence lawyer told the court the defendant “struggles with addiction and has moved to tackle those”.

He continued: “She had been engaging with Community Addictions and NA (Narcotics Anonymous) twice a week. She is someone that recognises she has a problem.

"The majority of offending has taken place in the last few years and that is indicative of a downward spiral.

"This was an impulsive offence.

"She has lived a chaotic lifestyle and she is taking steps to address that.”

District Judge Rosie Watters said the defendant had limited her sentencing options by refusing to meet with the Probation Service for the compilation of a pre-sentence report.

Ms Watters said: “At the moment my options are an immediate or suspended custodial sentence.”

Deferring sentencing for six months until June 4, 2026, Ms Watters told McCormick: “I want you to stay out of trouble. No more offences of any kind.

"If everything is positive as far as I can tell at that stage I will not send you to prison.”