A 32-year old mother who stole £542 worth of goods from Asda Enniskillen in a joint enterprise with her young daughter has been spared a jail sentence.
Shelley Doherty, of Ballycummin Road was given a three month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
The prosecutor outlined that on February 15 police were called to Asda in Enniskillen after a report from staff that they had detained two female shoplifters. The mother and daughter had left the store without paying for goods in their trolley. The pair were confronted by staff loading goods into their vehicle. The goods were recovered and all fit for re-sale barring one item worth 7p.
The defendant apologised for her actions and said there was no excuse for her actions. The CCTV footage showed the woman’s daughter leaving with the shopping alone, before meeting up with her mother outside the store.
During interview the Sligo woman said she knew that the goods had not been paid for when she was loading them into the vehicle. The goods were valued at £542.11.
The defence solicitor explained that Doherty was a mother of seven children ranging from 12 weeks to 15 in age. He explained that his client had travelled from Sligo to shop with her children and mother. He gave very little account for her actions, but told the court the defendant had been preparing for her daughter’s christening. He further explained that the woman’s rented accommodation was under a repossession order. The defence said his client “didn’t know what she was thinking” stating that she had the means to pay.
District judge Peter King said there were two elements of concern. The first was given that this was the defendant’s first conviction for theft and it was alarming she would steal goods to the value of over £500. The judge was further concerned by Doherty’s use of her child in committing the crime.
Taking into account the defendant’s early guilty plea and record he imposed the suspended sentence.
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