Mother hid toy car under skirt in Longford theft

A Romanian mother of two who stole a toy car by hiding it under her skirt has been fined €150 by Judge Bernadette Owens.

Larisa Michele (21), Mullaghavorneen, Longford pleaded guilty at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court to stealing a toy car from Lidl, Dublin Road, Longford on March 27 last.

The court heard, the toy which was valued at €12.99 was stolen after Ms Michele had paid for a number of other items.

Sgt Mark Mahon said the accused was spotted placing the toy under her skirt and was recovered as short time later.

Sgt Mahon said there were other items that Ms Michele had concealed under her skirt, leading Frank Gearty, defending to insist the only item his client was charged with was the theft of the toy car.

“I was with a senior counsel on Friday and he advised me that if you plead, you plead to what is on the charge sheet and I can’t speculate or react to anything else,” he said.

The court heard Ms Michele had no previous convictions, but did receive an adult caution in June 2021 for an alleged theft in Penneys.

Mr Gearty said Ms Michele was a young mother of two who had resided here for over a decade and had previously gone to school in Athlone.

He said she had become a mother in her mid to late teens and was someone of very limited means.

“She did have a number of items she had paid for but unfortunately she had this toy under other goods on the trolley and she acknowledges that when she was challenged she should have produced it immediately and for that she is absolutely guilty of the offence and she acknowledges that,” he said.

Mr Gearty added Ms Michele was particularly contrite over what had occurred, saying the temptation to steal the toy had “proved too much.”

He said: “The oldest child is five which will give a certain indication of the dynamic of her life and I think the toy was for that child, not that it excuses in any way what happened.

“It’s a very serious matter that she should find herself at the age of 21 with poor enough financial circumstances showing up in court in this way.”

Judge Owens convicted and fined Ms Michele €150, giving her four months to pay.

Legal aid was also granted to the accused.