A WOMAN who stole hair extensions and a $5 pair of shoes in Orange ended up with more than she bargained for when she was sentenced to 12 months jail on Monday.
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Vanessa Jane Colwell of Lunar Avenue, Dubbo appeared at Orange Local Court via audio visual link from Wellington Correctional Facility where magistrate Terry Lucas sentenced her to 12 months jail with a non-parole period of six months backdated to her initial imprisonment on March 14, 2016.
However, with time already served she could be eligible for release onSeptember 13.
Represented by Aboriginal Legal Service solicitor Nidal Abdi the 18-year-old pleaded guilty to larceny to the value less than $2000 for shoplifting a 700ml bottle of vodka, valued at $36, in Dubbo on February 4, 2016.
Ms Colwell also had two shoplifting charges and a stalk/intimidate charge.
The charges relate to the theft of hair extensions valued at $295, threatening a store keeper with scissors, and stealing a $5 pair of shoes in Orange on March 14, 2016.
According to a police statement between 1pm and 1.30pm Ms Colwell and two friends visited an Orange beauty supply store where they were approached by a store keeper in the hair extension section of the store.
According to the statement Ms Colwell used scissors to cut hair extensions from the rack and when the store keeper attempted to stop her leaving with the hair but Ms Colwell threatened her with the scissors holding them in “a stabbing motion” and swearing at her before running out of the story with her two friends.
After she was confronted by another store keeper she left the area and a short time later stole a $5 pair of shoes.
Arguing for leniency Mr Abdi said his client cooperated with police, had a rough childhood and had depression and schizophrenia which were getting worse while she was in custody.
He said she was raised by her grandmother and she started taking drugs when she was 13.
“Once she leaves custody she wants to continue with her education, she doesn’t want to continue the life she’s been living not just for her but her grandmother,” Mr Abdi said.
Mr Lucas said he was sympathetic to Ms Colwell’s history but sentenced her to one month jail, ending April 23, for stealing the vodka and 12 months with a six month non-parole period for the Orange offences.
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