Camellia Gaye Buchanan, Souths fan addicted to shoplifting, caught out three times after life ban from Ballina Fair
This Ballina woman knows what she likes - an NRL footy team shirt and Tk-Maxx. Here’s how her “addiction to shoplifting” landed her in court.
Police & Courts
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A woman addicted to shoplifting has wound up in court after repeated trips to the Ballina Fair Shopping Centre - after she was banned from there for life.
Camellia Gaye Buchanan, of Ballina, pleaded guilty at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday to two counts of unlawful entry on prescribed lands and two counts of larceny.
The 34-year-old was given a lifetime ban from Ballina Fair at the local police station on October 7.
However just one month later, Buchanan - distinctive in a South Sydney footy shirt - went to the centre where she was seen collecting several items from TK-Maxx.
She left the store “without making an attempt to pay for the items”, according to court documents.
“(She) left with nine clothing items worth $329.91. The entire incident was captured on CCTV,” police facts state.
“Staff from TK-Maxx and centre management are well aware of the (woman) and are able to identify her.”
On November 11, Buchanan went back to the shopping centre - again in her Souths shirt.
This time she took $389.91 worth of handbags and wallets from TK-Maxx, police documents state.
There was a third visit to Ballina Fair on November 24: Same shirt, same store.
Buchanan was captured on CCTV entering Ballina Fair and into Tk-Maxx.
It’s unknown if Buchanan stole anything this time but police were called and she was arrested.
In court, Buchanan was in custody and appeared via audio visual link.
Her lawyer said Buchanan “has an addiction to shoplifting”.
Magistrate Karen Stafford said Buchanan’s criminal history was “appalling” and that there was an “unacceptable risk” of her committing another offence in denying bail.
The case was adjourned to Ballina Local Court on December 21.
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