Suspended prison sentence for woman who stole from Craigavon stores
A woman with an address in Dublin has been given a suspended prison sentence by a Lisburn judge after pleading guilty to the theft of almost £3,000 worth of goods from stores in the Craigavon and Portadown area.
Josie Cash, 19, whose address was given as Kylemore Grove, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with five counts of theft, as well as one count of attempted theft.
The court heard that on January 14, 2026 at 7.30pm police received a call from Primark at Rushmere Shopping Centre stating that five persons had been viewed transferring a number of beauty and ladies clothing items from a basket into white Primark bags and leaving without paying.
The vehicle containing the five people identified, including the defendant, was stopped by police and several large bags were located, as well as a number of items from other stores.
It was stated that goods to the value of £787.44 had been stolen from Primark, £1,221 from Marks and Spencer, £919 from Mamas and Papas, and £70.06 from Fruitfields.
The police also received a call from Asda stating that five people matching the description of those apprehended had attempted to steal £240 worth of goods from the store.
No comment was made by the defendant during interview.
Defence told the court the offences were “unsophisticated”. He continued: “A lot of goods were fit for resale."
He told the court the defendant was pregnant and had no criminal record.
District Judge Rosie Watters imposed a sentence of six months suspended for two years. She also imposed a fine of £500 and an offender’s levy of £15.