TWO women have appeared in court after going on a four-shop thieving spree in Enniskillen on Saturday.
Gita Jaunozolina (40) from Derries Lore, Cavan and Inita Pole (43) from Cluain Alainn, Co Leitrim were caught after their fourth instance of shoplifting on June 15, and when arrested told police they had goods from the three previous instances in their car.
The stolen property came to a combined total of £732. All charges were admitted when the pair were brought before Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
A defence lawyer enquired if District Judge Michael Ranaghan would deal with the case straight away as neither defendant has a criminal record, but he initially declined stating, “It’s too much.” However, after consideration he said he would hear the facts and then decide. The court was told police were called to Asda where the two women had been detained for shoplifting £420 worth of goods. Having directed police to the other items in their car, £111 worth of goods were found to have been taken from Tesco, £165 from Marks & Spencer and £36 from Dunnes.
While all goods were recovered, none were fit for resale. Full admissions were made in interview. The defence said the pair were “Unable to provide any rational explanation for their actions, but were very remorseful and keen to make restitution.”
Both women waived their right to a pre-sentence report. Judge Ranaghan ruled he would deal with matters based on the immediate admissions, clear records and willingness to pay compensation.
He told the pair, “For some bizarre reason you both entered into a thieving spree. The custody threshold is met.”
When the woman gasped at this and one began crying, the judge said the three month term he was imposing would be suspended for 12 months. He also ordered them each to pay £366 – stipulating no difference was being made between either.
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