A woman who stole the phone of an employee at a Co Armagh store will have to wait until the New Year to be sentenced.
The 22-year-old’s barrister said of the defendant: “She has had quite a sad upbringing. She came through the care system before getting in a relationship with an older male, who is no stranger to this court. He is currently in custody and this was an abusive relationship.”
Seaneen Mulvenna, of Kingston Court in Belfast, pleaded guilty to theft at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that at around 1.30pm on May 2, 2017, police were contacted by the injured party who made a report of her mobile being stolen.
She had been working in Greene’s Confectionery in Craigavon and had placed her phone on top of a freezer playing music whilst she stocked out items.
The injured party left to get more stock. A female in the store grabbed the mobile, put it in her pocket, paid for goods she had selected and left.
When the complainant noticed her phone was gone, she watched CCTV which showed the events described above.
This same footage was shown to police who identified the culprit as the defendant.
Officers called to her home, she was cautioned for the offence and handed the mobile back to police.
Defence solicitor Patrick Madden stated: “Admissions were made at the earliest opportunity. She is a single mother to an 18-month-old baby.
“She has had quite a sad upbringing. She came through the care system before getting in a relationship with an older male, who is no stranger to this court. He is currently in custody and this was an abusive relationship.”
Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor said: “I am going to stop you there. Nothing I am hearing makes me think I can deal with this today. She also has two previous offences of theft and a previous suspended sentence.
“I am going to need a presentence report.”
The case was adjourned until January 16 for sentencing.
