Drug-driven shoplifters could face jail

A Geraldton magistrate has warned drug-driven shoplifting has become so bad she will soon have to elevate stealing charges to District Court, where those convicted could receive jail time.

The comments arose from a first hearing for Donelle Joy Thompson, 51, who stole five pairs of jeans from Cotton On in January 2015 to a value of $200.

Thompson had stolen the jeans to trade to her partner for drugs, and eventually returned them to the store but they were too soiled to resell.

The charges were not enough to justify imprisonment from the magistrate, although Magistrate Donna Webb warned Thompson and others who last week facing charges for stealing that she would bring further charges to District Court.

Ms Webb said drug dealers gave their customers shopping lists of goods to steal in exchange for drugs.

“There’s drugs behind it all the time,” she said.

“We all know because we hear it all the time that shoplifting increases premiums for insurance and that cost flows on to the customers.

“People go running out of the grocery store with a full shopping cart, without paying for anything, and it’s all for drugs.”

Thompson’s charges were not elevated, and she was fined $800 for the single charge of stealing.

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