Emily Louise Harrison sentenced in court for stealing

A woman who stole hundreds of dollars worth of shoes and was found with a large amount of stolen clothing and cosmetics at her house claims she has a problem with stealing. Read the full list of stolen items she was busted with.

A thief that stole more than $300 worth of shoes from Spendless Shoes and was found with a large amount of stolen clothing and cosmetics at her house claims she has a problem with stealing.

Emily Louise Harrison pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 7 to four counts of stealing and one count of unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.

Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said Harrison stole three pairs of shoes from Spendless Shoes in Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre on July 5, 2021 about 12.30pm.

The shoes were $39.99 each and Harrison had placed the shoes into a cold bag in her trolley before leaving the store without paying.

Senior Constable Rowe said a week later on July 12 between 12.30 and 1.15pm Harrison stole another two pairs of shoes from Spendless Shoes worth $39.99 each, placing them in a cold bag before leaving the store.

She said Harrison returned to the shoe store two days later on July 14 and stole another three pairs of shoes worth $39.99 each, again, placing them in a cold bag before leaving.

That same day Harrison also stole a vase and two photo frames from Nextra Card n Paper in Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre.

Senior Constable Rowe said Harrison removed the photo frames from a display shelf at the rear of the store and placed them into a cold bag before leaving the store.

She said the total value of property stolen from the store was $76.85.

Police executed a search warrant at Harrison’s home in Wandal on January 8 and she told officers she had no items she wished to declare.

During the search, police found six pairs of shoes matching the description of the shoes stolen from Spendless Shoes. Harrison denied any involvement.

Police also found numerous items throughout the home with store tags still attached that appeared to be new and unused, including two pairs of children’s shoes, three pairs of women’s shoes and two women’s belts, as well as a shopping bag containing a large quantity of cosmetics, both used and unused.

Harrison told police she left tags on anything she hadn’t used and that the reason she had so many cosmetics was because she swapped products with her sister regularly, as well as clothing and other items.

When asked by police if she had any receipts for the items, Harrison told officers she didn’t believe she did as she had purchased them about two years prior.

Senior Constable Rowe said the thefts were captured on CCTV and that restitution was sought.

Defence lawyer Felicity Davis said her client had accepted she had a problem with stealing.

“She doesn’t understand why she has the compulsion to steal,” Ms Davis said.

“She doesn’t need to, she is employed as a social worker.

“The counselling she is currently receiving is to try and address the issues why she feels the need (to steal) and why this has become a coping strategy.”

She said her client was remorseful and felt much shame.

Harrison was ordered to probation for 12 months with no criminal convictions recorded.

She was also ordered to pay $396.77 restitution.

Originally published as Emily Louise Harrison sentenced in court for stealing