Laois woman avoids jail sentence for Penneys theft
A woman living in Laois with a previous record of multiple thefts, has avoided a jail sentence for taking items from a Penneys store.
The woman appeared at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 5, charged with shoplifting.
Vandana Munteanu gave an address as Apartment 3, Wilton House, Main Street, Portarlington, County Laois.
It was heard that the 26-year-old shoplifted goods from Penneys in Newbridge on August 1, 2019.
Later, when she was questioned by gardaí, she gave them a false name.
Defending barrister Mark Gibbons told Judge Desmond Zaidan that his client 'was not somebody of (financial) means', and added that she was a single mother.
Gardaí told the judge that Ms Munteanu has 34 previous convictions, 22 of which were for similar theft offences.
Referring to her past convictions, the judge said: "For a young woman her age, it is very appalling."
When she apologised to him, the judge added that he was unsure if her apology was genuine or not.
In response, he said that while he initially considered a custodial sentence, he would instead fine her a total of €1,500.
He also told her that if she is struggling financially, that 'there are organisations out there that can help you.'