A woman who stole over £200 worth of alcohol from Tesco is to appeal against a sentence of four months in prison.
Sentencing the 29-year-old, the district judge commented: “She received a custodial sentence in 2020 but that did not stop her committing these offences in 2021.”
Zuzana Zigova, of West Street in Portadown, appeared for sentencing on three counts of theft at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from her solicitor’s office.
Prosecution outlined that on January 13, at 4.30pm, the defendant entered Tesco in Portadown, placing Cognac and Jack Daniels whiskey valued at £69 in a Lidl bag before leaving without paying.
The following day, Zigova returned this time stealing Cognac, Remy Martin and Jack Daniels whiskey to the value of £139.
On January 17, police were contacted by staff at Tesco stating that the defendant had returned to the store and that on this occasion she had been apprehended.
Subsequent checks of CCTV showed that she had also taken butter to the value of £1.49 without making any effort to pay.
Defence barrister Joel Lindsay stated: “She has been very forthright in the report. She admitted what not many do that she was taking this alcohol to sell in order to fund her addictions.”
The barrister informed the court that his client had since made attempts to engage with community addictions.
He added: “She did spend a short time in prison before. She did not do well there and it had an impact on her mental health.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “This is a very difficult sentencing exercise and very difficult for a number of reasons.
“She had been on bail since May but she only tried to do something or seek support for her addiction issues before sentencing. That does not impress me.”
She added: “She received a custodial sentence in 2020 but that did not stop her committing these offences in 2021.”
Zigova was sentenced to a total of four months in prison in these offences.
Mr Lindsay informed the court that his client wished to apply for bail to appeal this sentence.
The defendant was granted her own bail of £500, with conditions including; a 9pm to 6am curfew, a ban on alcohol, a ban on non-prescribed drugs and she is prohibited from entering Tesco.
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