‘Hungry’ teenager stole bottles of spirits
8:46am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News
A TEENAGE shoplifter claimed she was driven to steal alcohol as she had not eaten for several days, a court heard.
Christina Dumitru, aged 18, pleaded guilty at Bolton Magistrates’ Court to stealing four bottles of spirits, worth £123 from Asda in Farnworth.
Steve Woodman, prosecuting, said Dumitru, who does not speak English and appeared in court with an interpreter, was stopped by store detectives after attempting to leave the supermarket with the bottles in a foil-lined bag.
She later told police that if she had succeeded with the theft she would have sold the alcohol.
Daxa Kanda, defending, said Dumitru, who is from Romania and has been in England for three months, was struggling financially. She said: “She was not working, had no benefits and had not eaten in days. At the time she felt she had no choice but to steal.”
She added that Dumitru, of Barnacre Avenue, Breightmet, was sorry for her behaviour and has since obtained a cleaning job.
Magistrates sentenced her to be electronically tagged and subject to a 9pm to 6am six week curfew. She was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
