A YOUNG woman, who stole 17 football jerseys from a shop, claimed that she only went in to buy another item and never intended stealing anything.
Judge Con O’Leary said: “It is hard to accept that was an impulse action. It takes quite a bit of nerve to go in and lift €1,200 worth of football jerseys.”
Chelsea Hurley, with addresses at Dunmanus Crescent, Knocknaheeny, and a flat at Alexandra Road, St Luke’s, pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing the property from the Lifestyle store at Blackpool shopping centre on August 26.
Inspector Mary King said Hurley went into the shop on that date and took the 17 jerseys from their hangers and left without paying for them.
Defence solicitor, Diane Hallahan, said: “When she went into the shop it was not her intention to steal. She cannot explain it. It was her intention to buy an item.”
Ms Hallahan said the defendant saw hangers on the floor and it appeared that others had stolen shirts earlier so she decided to do likewise.
Judge O’Leary said the 19-year-old had been given the benefit of the probation service previously.
He said that on this occasion he was imposing a four-month suspended jail term.
“If she goes on stealing I will be able to say she has been given the benefit of probation and she has been given this warning,” the judge said.
Hurley also pleaded guilty to stealing €50 worth of items from Claire’s Accessories in Blackpool around the time of the other theft.
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