‘Tourist thieves’ are sentenced for shoplifting

Bernadette McCann (44) and Toni McMahon (26), with Belfast addresses, were each sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 21 months for theft, going equipped, handling and dealing in stolen goods.

The court heard that businesses targeted were Next, Peacocks, Poundstretchers, Sally’s Hair and Beauty and New Look with goods valued at £1,684 stolen.

The offences were committed in March 11 2011 and sentencing had been deferred to monitor the defendants behaviour.

Passing sentence, Judge Desmond Perry remarked that the two defendants were “totally dishonest people.”

He said they were tourist thieves who came to towns like Magherafelt because their faces were too well known in their home city.

Mr Perry said both have a track records for this type of offending and if they committed any further offending there was a high likelihood they will serve the sentences.

He reminded them that they had a responsibility for children and warned them not to be tempted back to their former ways.