Serial thief Bonnie Jean-May Dunbar locked up for 10 months after stealing from Lismore chemist while barred from shop

A “habitual shoplifter and heavy amphetamine and cannabis user” who used “the proceeds of her crimes” to fund her “drug habit and party lifestyle” has been slapped with a hefty prison sentence.

Habitual thief Bonnie Jean-May Dunbar was pinched after trying to nick bottles of perfume from a chemist she was banned from entering, a court heard.

A “habitual shoplifter and heavy amphetamine and cannabis user” who used “the proceeds of her crimes” to fund her “drug habit and party lifestyle” has been jailed for 10 months in a North Coast court.

Bonnie Jean-May Dunbar, 35, of Koonorigan, faced Lismore Local Court Magistrate Michael Dakin on Monday for sentencing and was also ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation.

The unemployed woman described as a serial thief pleaded guilty on Monday to shoplifting on February 2.

Dunbar walked into the Priceline chemist at Lismore Square shopping centre about 2.30pm on September 26 last year, pushing a shopping trolley containing a couple of bags.

The court heard Dunbar has a history of stealing and dishonesty offending.

She walked to a display inside the shop entry and waited for staff to leave, monitoring their movements.

When staff became occupied, Dunbar moved into action, snatching a bottle of JC VLJ Gold 100ml perfume.

She moved out of view of staff and put the item in the bottom of a tote bag in the trolley, police state in court documents.

Dunbar targeted Priceline at Lismore Square. Picture: File/Matt Loxton

Dunbar returned to the display, picked up another bottle, walked to an aisle and put it in the bottom of the bag, watching to make sure staff were not on to her.

She turned and left the store, but came back just a minute later. Dunbar nabbed two more bottles of JC Viva Juicy 100ml perfume.

Dunbar snatched several bottles of expensive perfume. File image.

Dunbar strolled from the store and staff became suspicious. They observed the thefts valued at about $500 on CCTV.

The store manager identified Dunbar and told police she had been banned from the store for previous incidents.

She gave police a copy of CCTV footage, a statement and a banning notice.

Dunbar was already serving a community correction order sentence for stealing at the time.

She showed no remorse, the court was told.

Dunbar was ordered into rehab.

“She is a habitual shoplifter and heavy amphetamine and cannabis user using the proceeds of her crimes to fund her drug habit and party lifestyle,” police state.

Mr Dakin considered an intensive correction order, but it was refused due to the gross dishonesty shown by Dunbar.

She was convicted and sent to prison for 10 months, with a non-parole period of six months.

Dunbar was ordered to pay $500 compensation to Priceline and to undergo rehab.

The earliest she could be free is September 24.

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