Woman (19) stole razors, electrical goods, biscuits and cosmetics valued at more than £700 from Tesco Portadown, Craigavon court hears
A woman who stole razors, electrical goods, biscuits and cosmetics valued at more than £700 has narrowly avoided jail.
The 19-year-old appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday.
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Maria Florina Varga, of Tandragee Road, Portadown, pleaded guilty to a single charge of attempted theft of razors, electrical goods, biscuits and cosmetics.
Varga’s barrister Mr John Paul McCann, instructed by McCourt McGlone Solicitors, said an initial charge of theft had been reduced to attempted theft after representations to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
He said his client pleaded guilty. He added his client is moving to England and is keen to have the matter dealt with.
A Prosecutor revealed that on July 18 this year police received a report at Tesco, Meadow Lane, Portadown.
"Security reported they detained a female for theft as she attempted to leave the store with a trolley full of goods to the value of £731.97,” he told the court.
Mr McCann said his client accepted her guilt at the earliest opportunity. “Thankfully the theft wasn’t completed. It was a very foolish thing she did,” he said.
He explained Varga, who is in receipt of benefits, had been living in this jurisdiction with her parents and sister but is planning on moving to England soon.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “I’m glad you didn’t say it was a crime of duress or need. It’s clearly not. It was just greed.”
He noted the charge changed to attempted theft adding: “You were about to walk out that door with a variety of goods valued over £700. That’s a very significant theft.”
He sentenced her to five months in jail suspended for 12 months.