Stole watch as she left gift shop and then lost it

On her way out of a Lurgan gift shop a 28-year-old woman stole a watch valued at £69, Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday.

By The Newsroom

Published 27th Dec 2014, 11:00 BST

Patrice Whitla, Wellington Street, Lurgan, admitted the theft which happened on August 5 this year.

She was fined £200 and ordered to pay £69 compensation for the watch.

Police went to the defendant’s house and recognised her from CCTV.

Whitla admitted the theft but said she lost the watch shortly after stealing it.

Mr Felim Rafferty, defending, said it was an opportunistic theft. As she was leaving the shop she grabbed the watch.