Woman imprisoned after pleading guilty to thefts from shops
Waterford Courthouse
A local woman received a prison sentence in Waterford District Court in relation to a number of incidents.
She pleaded guilty to a number of thefts committed in shops across Waterford city.
She also appeared in court recently in connection with an incident where she was charged with being in possession of a knife, and on a criminal damage charge committed at Railway Square Apartments.
Chelsea Kelly (23), of 27 Charleton Hill, New Ross, entered guilty pleas on a number of theft charges contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 2001.
Included were thefts of perfume worth €200 from TK Maxx, and thefts of cosmetics and perfumes from Shaws worth €362.
Thefts were also recorded at Mr. Price, Kingmeadow Park, Dunnes Stores City Square and Supervalu Kilbarry.
She has 10 previous convictions.
Her solicitor, Kenneth Cunningham, outlined to the judge that Ms. Kelly was vulnerable due to her status as a homeless woman with drug misuse issues.
“It’s a brutal old world out there,” Mr. Cunningham said.
He added that Ms. Kelly has had to “thieve to survive”.
She is currently in custody, where she is “finding stability”.
“There's a calmness about Ms. Kelly today,” Mr. Cunningham added.
Judge Paula Murphy convicted and sentenced Ms. Kelly to six months' imprisonment on the charge of criminal damage.
All other matters were taken into consideration.
