Booze burglar targeted local bottle shops in stealing spree

A serial thief who stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of booze from local bottle shops has been lashed by a magistrate for demonstrating a “decade-long course of dishonesty”.

Jemima Faith Buggy was jailed for six months for a stealing more than $270 from Forest Lake bottle shops between May and June.

A SERIAL thief who stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of booze from local bottle shops has been lashed by a magistrate for demonstrating a “decade-long course of dishonesty”.

Jemima Faith Buggy pleaded guilty to a rate of stealing charges and an attempted stealing charge at Richlands Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard Buggy stole pre-mixed vodka drinks and bottles of vodka from bottle shops in Forest Lake seven times between May 9 and June 26.

On some occasions, she paid for some of the drinks while smuggling out bottles in her bag.

A shop attendant confronted her on June 26 and ordered her to leave when her stealing attempt was revealed.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Robert Fogarty said $275.59 was taken from the Forest Lake BWS and Bob’s Bulk Booze.

Defence lawyer Angela Taylor said her client had “a real wake-up call” after spending time in jail.

Magistrate Stuart Shearer said Buggy’s behaviour resulted in more hardship for businesses and customers already doing it tough.

“Shopkeepers are not there to be preyed upon by thieves,”

“The end result is law-abiding customers end up having to pay more given shopkeepers have to recuperate the losses as a consequence of those who steal from them.

“The price of insurance also increases … which again is passed on to consumers.”

Magistrate Shearer said Buggy’s criminal history demonstrated “a decade-long course of dishonesty” and she had been given “every opportunity” to avoid prison sentences.

Buggy was sentenced to six months’ prison and ordered her to pay restitution to the businesses.

She will be eligible for parole on October 30.