Renae Digney charged with larceny over remote theft

“Little offences like this one - they add up,” the magistrate said, as he gave a woman a 12-month community corrections order.

A NSW North Coast woman has copped a lecture on the huge toll of shoplifting to Australian businesses after being sentenced for taking a tv remote control.

Renae Digney, 45, appeared before Murwillumbah Court on September 21, accused of stealing a television remote from the Samsung section of Harvey Norman, Murwillumbah.

Court documents state Digney, who is known to police for similar incidents in the past, entered the Harvey Norman store at about 1pm on July 22 - picking up a one-for-all remote control from a display.

Staff located the empty box and after reviewing CCTV footage, supplied this to police.

Murwillumbah police said they recognised Digney - having had past interactions with her - and went to her home.

Renae Digney, 45, appeared before Murwillumbah Court on September 21, accused of stealing a replacement television remote from the Samsung section.

When asked about the theft she replied, “No comment, that wasn’t me”, according to court documents.

The remote has not been recovered, and Digney has made no admissions to the theft, police facts state.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy explained to Digney the significant impact stealing has on the Australian economy.

“When magistrates sentence offenders for shoplifting, we take into account the effect shoplifting has on the Australian economy, which exceeds one billion dollars,” Mr Dunlevy said.

“So little offences like this one - they add up.”

On a charge of larceny, Digney was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order.

Digney is required to compensate Harvey Norman $70 for the remote.