Chemist Warehouse: Amber Mills banned from stores after stealing $217 of goods from Darwin store

A mum on a suspended sentence who stole from Chemist Warehouse has been banned from entering the chain. Find out why she did it.

Darwin mother Amber Jayde Mills has been banned from Chemist Warehouse after stealing $217 worth of perfume, eye drops and sunnies with a plan to gift the stolen goods to her teenager daughter as a present.

A Top End mum has been banned from Chemist Warehouse after she stole $217 worth of products, claiming she was going to “gift” them to her daughter for her birthday.

Amber Jayde Mills, 39, was sentenced in Darwin Local Court this week for the May 15, 2025 theft.

The court heard Mills went to the Chemist Warehouse on Mitchell St where she stashed several items into her handbag before leaving the shop without paying.

It was heard sunglasses, perfume, a pair of earrings and eye drops were among the items stolen.

The court heard Mills had targeted other businesses.

Her actions were captured on CCTV, with store workers reporting the theft to police.

A week later, authorities attended a residence in search of Mills, who they found hiding in a cupboard.

In an interview with police, Mills said “I did it for my daughter’s 16th birthday”.

In court, it was heard Mills was on a suspended sentence at the time of the offence.

Mills’ lawyer said her client had been “struggling” financially while trying to care for her children and unwell mother.

“She has been very cooperative with the police,” she said.

“The motive for this, your honour was that it was her daughter’s 16th birthday.”

Mills was handed a community corrections order and told she must not enter another Chemist Warehouse. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

It was heard Mills had stolen from Chemist Warehouse before, as well as Woolworths and Bunnings

“It is businesses in our community that are this defendant’s victim (and) suffering,” Prosecutor Ruby Preece said.

Ms Preece submitted that a fine was “not an appropriate” sentence.

“This defendant had the opportunity to comply with the orders of the suspended sentence – she was shown leniency by this court,” she said.

“And she has come back for like-offending.”

Mills could be seen wiping away tears in the dock.

Judge Therese Austin told Mills that “no bottle of perfume” compensated for being in jail.

“Impulsive offending is not okay,” she said.

“Hanging out with people and thinking it’s okay (to steal) – you need to change your circumstances.

“You must, because you’re the one in jail, you’re the one in court and you’re the one who’s jeopardising your liberty and your children’s future.”

Mills was convicted and handed a community corrections order.

“You are not to attend any Chemist Warehouse at all,” Judge Austin said.

“If you go into a Chemist Warehouse (you) will come back to court, and I will sentence you to an actual term of imprisonment.”

Originally published as Chemist Warehouse: Amber Mills banned from stores after stealing $217 of goods from Darwin store