Thurso woman’s shoplifting spree in two Wick stores
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A Thurso woman who went on a shoplifting spree in Wick has been ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid community work.
Sarah Matthews obtained goods worth almost £184 without paying for them, when she visited two stores in Wick on March 9, the town's sheriff court was told.
Fiscal Depute Grant McLennan said the 29-year-old pushed her trolley containing perishable and non-perishable items, worth £130.74, past the checkouts, at Tesco, Wick.
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A staff member followed her from the store and challenged the accused about non-payment. The police were contacted.
Later the same day, Matthews, of Lord Thurso Court, Thurso, visited Wick's Co-op supermarket and left with unpaid flowers and perishable food worth £53.16.
Police officers spotted the accused in a Wick street soon afterwards carrying a shopping bag containing the stolen Co-op goods.
Mr Maclennan said that the thefts in both cases were captured on CCTV.
Solicitor George Mathers said that Matthews, who pleaded guilty and admitted a previous record of offending, was getting help with mental health issues.
A plea of not guilty to an additional charge that the handcuffed accused hindered police officers by pulling away from them while being taken to a cell, was accepted by Mr McLennan.
