Heroin addict relapsed and went on shoplifting spree

A heroin addict who re-lapsed and had gone on a shoplifting spree in Ballymena, which included July 12 this year, has been jailed for six months.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Sep 2021, 13:49 BST
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Ramona Louise McFall (42), of Glenshesk Drive, in the town, took over £1,100 worth of items including alcohol and meat from Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Lynas Food Outlet and Co-op in Ballymena.

The defendant appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, via video link from prison where she has been on remand.

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In one incident police saw her acting suspiciously near the Co-op and when they asked the store to review their CCTV it showed her stealing alcohol.

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She told police she planned on “selling” the stolen alcohol.

Defence solicitor Emma McCann told an earlier court the defendant had successfully dealt with her heroin addiction for a “significant period of time” but then succumbed again to the drug.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he recognised that what was driving the offending was a long-standing addiction to drugs but he said there were a number of quite high value thefts.