Tammy Leigh Kloot and Michelle Joan Ford face Yeppoon court for shoplifting
Central Queensland shoplifters have been exposed and faced court including a woman operating a dog grooming business who “fell into old habits” when she flogged $729 worth of stuff from three stores.
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Two Central Queensland shoplifters with a liking for clothing have faced court to get their punishment.
Tammy Leigh Kloot, 40, and Michelle Joan Ford, 60, fronted Yeppoon Magistrates Court on February 8 for their respective offending.
Kloot pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing.
The court heard that on December 22, Kloot went to LiveLife Pharmacy at Yeppoon Central where she put a fragrance item worth $105 in her bag and left without paying.
About 10 minutes later, Kloot was at the nearby Jay Jays store where she put items of clothing collectively worth $575 into her bag and did not pay for them.
She was identified on CCTV footage.
The third offence from a different day involved Kloot standing in line at a Yeppoon Australia Post store, when she removed a $49 portable speaker from a shelf and put it in a bag she was carrying.
She arranged for a package to be delivered but left the store without paying for the speaker.
The prosecution sought restitution for all three items stolen by Kloot.
The court heard that Kloot had multiple previous stealing offences on her criminal history.
Solicitor Krissy Cummins said Kloot, a mother of five, operated a dog grooming business and she “fell into old habits” when committing these offences while experiencing financial difficulties.
Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale fined Kloot $850 and ordered she pay $729 restitution.
Convictions were recorded.
Ford pleaded guilty to one count of stealing.
The court heard that about 5.35pm on December 14, she went to Cotton On, Rockhampton, where she placed several items of clothing into her handbag and walked out of the store without paying.
Police were alerted by security and Ford was detained for a search.
The items of clothing she had stolen were valued at $9.99, $29.99, $24.99 and $34.99.
The court heard that Ford had a one-page criminal history which included previous similar offending.
Also representing Ford was Ms Cummins, who said that Ford was receiving Jobseeker Allowance and she had not offended since 2017.
Ms Cummins said Ford instructed she had recently been diagnosed with cancer and she made a poor decision to take the clothing.
Ford was placed on six months’ probation and a conviction was recorded.
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Originally published as Tammy Leigh Kloot and Michelle Joan Ford face Yeppoon court for shoplifting
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