Linda Totten tries to hide her identity with an umbrella as she leaves Enniskillen Court House
A FERMANAGH based police officer has been accused of stealing hundreds of pounds worth of goods from Asda in Enniskillen in the run-up to Christmas last year, a court has heard.
Linda Totten, 47, with an address in Enniskillen, appeared in Enniskillen Magistrates Court aided by a walking stick on Monday.
The serving police officer has been accused of stealing goods of an unknown value from Asda on December 20, last year and then again on December 24, where it was alleged she stole £149.81 worth of goods from the store.
A defence barrister for Totten made an application to place a temporary reporting ban of her identification, which was rejected by District Judge Nigel Broderick.
The basis of the application was in relation to what the barrister described as a “substantial risk and serious prejudice to the administration of justice”.
He was referring to a separate case in which Totten is involved. He claimed that the current alleged offences will attract a degree of publicity that may not usually be afforded in other shoplifting offences because her occupation would add to the publicity.
“While the other proceedings are allowed to run their course and while there is a risk in these proceedings being undermined, this court should take the view to impose a temporary ban which can be amended or reviewed at any time,” the barrister said.
However, Judge Broderick stated that these risks and concerns would be addressed during the separate trial, if it were to proceed.
Judge Broderick adjourned the case until November 24 for a committal hearing at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
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