A LETTERKENNY woman with 24 previous convictions has been given a three-month suspended sentence after appearing in court on two theft charges.
Julia Stokes (36), with an address at The Elms, Letterkenny, was before Letterkenny District Court, where she pleaded guilty to the charges.
On February 17, 2016, Gardaí reacted to a call at Pennys, Letterkenny Shopping Centre. The manager reported that the accused hd placed items of clothing, valued at €321, into a used Pennys shopping bag before leaving the last point of sale without paying.
Stokes was apprehended by security staff. The items were recovered and resaleable.
On December 18, 2017, Stokes entered the Lidl store at Pearse Road, Letterkenny and placed two bottles of Chardonnay wine into her handbag. Store security followed her and the items were recovered
The court heard that Stokes had 24 previous counts of section 4 theft and handling offences.
Solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher said his client had gone through a ‘traumatic personal medical matter’.
“She is in counselling and is attending AA and drug awareness classes,”he said.
“She wants to put these matters behind her.”
Stokes was in court to plead guilty to the charges.
For the December 2017 offence, Judge Paul Kelly sentenced Stokes to three months in prison, suspended for two years on her own bond of €200. Judge Kelly marked the February 2016 matter taken into consideration.
Judge Kelly warned Stokes: “It’s up to you whether you serve that sentence or not.”