Stole brandy ‘to keep family’s head above water’ - court told
Jolita Draskiene (38), whose address was given to the court as Hillcrest Manor, Craigavon, admitted the theft which happened on April 8 last year.
The court heard that on April 10 staff at Asda reported to police that three bottles of brandy, valued at £115, had been stolen two days earlier.
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Hide AdThe defendant was identified from CCTV and admitted the offence.
She expressed remorse and offered to pay for the brandy.
A solicitor representing Draskiene said her marriage had broken down and she had suffered some ill health.
He added that she was not eligible for benefits and ‘in a financial storm’ she turned to theft to keep her family’s head above the water.
The solicitor said that a pre-sentence report showed there were other offences in Ballymena and Dungannon.
But, he added, she had now secured employment and in addition was eligible for benefits.