Woman with 160 previous convictions jailed for nine months after stealing from three Sligo stores whilst on temporary release and bail
The Sligo ChampionA 36-year-old woman who had 160 previous convictions has been jailed for nine months at Sligo District Court for stealing from three stores whilst on temporary release and bail.
Janice Brady of Brookfield, Ballinode, Sligo was charged with stealing a selection of handbags valued at €370 from TK Maxx, Quayside Shopping Centre and stealing clothing and jewellery valued at €49 from Dunnes Stores, Wine St, Sligo on May 10. She was also charged with stealing perfume valued at €121 from Cara Pharmacy, Wine St, Sligo on April 25.
Garda Patricia Davey told the court that at 2:40pm on April 25, she received a report of theft from Cara Pharmacy. Upon arrival, Garda Davey spoke to staff who told her that the defendant concealed the perfume in her bag. Brady was subsequently identified by CCTV. No property was recovered.
On May 10, at 4:26pm, gardaí received a report of a theft from Dunnes Stores. The defendant put the stolen items in her bag and passed all points of payment. Brady was identified by CCTV.
At 6pm, the same day, gardaí received a report of a theft from TK Maxx. Brady was stopped by the store’s staff who took €240 worth of handbags off her. The defendant then exited the store with the rest.
The court heard that Brady had 160 previous convictions of which 84 were for theft.
Sergeant David McDonagh informed Judge Éiteáin Cunninham that Brady was on bail from Mullingar District Court when the offences occurred.
Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that her client recently got difficult news about her 18-month-old son and as a result, spiralled out of control. She added that Brady pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and that she came to court that morning to be charged.
Ms Spellman asked Judge Cunningham to be as lenient as possible. She added that it was an unfortunate situation and that Brady fell off the wagon.
Judge Cunningham gave credit for Brady’s plea. However, she added that an aggravating factor was that Brady was on temporary release at the time of the offences and that she was bail from another District Court.
Judge Cunningham said that she was sorry to hear that the defendant got bad news about her son which would be very difficult for any parent.
For the theft of a selection of handbags from TK Maxx, Judge Cunningham sentenced Brady to nine months in prison. She took into consideration the other two charges.
- Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.