By Cam Lucadou-Wells
An 18-year-old student was spared conviction for an $1800 shoplifting spree with her best friend at Fountain Gate shopping centre.
The pair stole cosmetics and jewellery in their handbags and pockets, and stowed fashions under their clothes during their six-store escapade on the afternoon of 4 August.
The accused later told police that she didn’t think of it as stealing. Acquiring new gear “makes me feel good,” she allegedly said.
The two targeted Target, Best & Less, Lush, Labisa, Cotton On and Kmart before the woman was stopped by a loss prevention officer.
All stolen items were recovered, full admissions were made, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told on 20 November.
A defence lawyer said the pair didn’t originally go to Fountain Gate to steal things, the lawyer said.
The idea came to them during a shopping trip. It gave the accused a “bit of a thrill”.
“This was in line with her mental illness – to feel something, to have something nice and new in her life.”
The woman no longer associated with her former best friend and co-accused, and sought treatment for her illness, the lawyer said.
Any conviction would jeopardise the woman’s plans to work in horse trail-riding, the court heard.
The accused studies veterinary nursing to enter an equine science course at university.
She works four jobs – including at a Koonwarra cattle sale-yard, farm maintenance and as a relief milker and baby-sitter.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell noted the woman’s young age, mental illness, excellent work history and without criminal history.
Ms O’Donnell warned repeat offending would lead to conviction and possibly jail.
The woman was placed on a 12-month good-behaviour bond on condition she attends counselling treatment.
