Shoplifting mum given jail term and daughter warned to pay restitution
The defendants, from Marchioness Street in Belfast, admitted theft from B&M Bargains at Bow Street Mall in the city on December 3 last year
A mum and daughter who stole £1,300 of Christmas shopping have made no repayments, a court has been told.
A plea and sentencing hearing for 54-year-old Eileen Singh and her daughter Shannon Wilson (29) was previously adjourned to allow them time to gather restitution.
Appearing at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday, defence counsel Peter Coiley said he was empty-handed.
District Judge Rosie Watters replied: 'Oh dear. They haven't exactly covered themselves in glory. No money — not even a pound — and they have behaved so badly.'
The defendants, from Marchioness Street in Belfast, admitted theft from B&M Bargains at Bow Street Mall in the city on December 3 last year.
Singh admitted stealing £300 of toys, and her daughter admitted taking £1,000 of 'perfume, toys, Lego and other household items'.
Mr Coiley accepted the thefts were committed in the run-up to Christmas.
He said Singh had no money to make repayments because she had moved home and had to decorate.
He claimed the high cost of living meant Wilson was not in a position to make restitution.
The judge said the pair 'went out to do Christmas shopping for the kids without taking any money with them, and they thought they would get away with it'.
She told Singh: 'You have a terrible record for shoplifting, and it looks to me as if that's just what you do.
'I have no alternative but to impose an immediate custodial sentence of eight months.'
Singh was also handed a £25 offender levy and ordered to pay £200 restitution.
Turning to Wilson, who was protesting at her mother being taken to the cells, Judge Watters said it was 'amazing' she had a clear record 'considering what your mother is'.
In addition to a 240-hour community service order, the judge told her she would have to pay back £600.
She also warned Wilson that if she failed to complete the order or committed further offences, 'you will be brought back here and dealt with differently'.
Singh was freed on bail pending an appeal of the sentence.
She was banned from entering any branch of B&M Bargains in the meantime.
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