A shoplifter who stole almost £1,000 worth of goods from Inverness stores explained she did it to feed herself and give her children toys for Christmas.
But Sheriff Margaret Neilson did not believe Jacqueline Rabbeth, 26, of the city’s Juniper Gardens, and jailed her for six months at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday.
The Sheriff told her: “They were not toys for your children. They were not recovered and were sold on. This was not a crime of opportunity.
“It was of one of significant value, a clinical and cynical course of conduct.”
Rabbeth had appeared earlier this month and admitted three charges of theft and one of failing to appear for a hearing. She was remanded in custody pending a background report.
Her lawyer, Clare Russell told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that her client’s benefits had ceased and she was falling into rent arrears.
“She has had a tenancy for the last seven years and didn’t want to lose it. She also stole some toys for her children, some of which she sold on.
“She has been living on food vouchers from a food bank.”
The court heard Rabbeth stole a £300 hairdryer from Boots on November 6. A month later on December 7, she stole £360 of food, clothes and alcohol from Marks and Spencer and £377.94p worth of toys from Smyths Toy Store.
