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Theft

Woman Sentenced to 10 Months in Jail for Shoplifting and Resisting Police

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A 28-year-old woman, Merika McKellar, was sentenced to 10 months in jail for shoplifting and resisting police after she was found to be hiding stolen goods under her jumper. McKellar, who was already in custody, appeared in Orange Local Court via an audio-visual link on April 23, 2025. The court heard that McKellar had stolen $500 worth of groceries from a supermarket and was also found to be hiding two pairs of stolen shorts under her jumper. She attempted to flee and resisted police when they tried to search her.

Key Takeaways:

  • McKellar was sentenced to 10 months in jail for shoplifting, hindering or resisting police, and possessing goods suspected of being stolen.
  • The court heard that McKellar had a history of dishonesty offences and had previously served a fixed term for larceny.
  • McKellar was on parole at the time of the incident and had been subject to community correction orders.
  • The court found that McKellar was a risk to the community and that her repeated offences justified a full-time jail sentence.
  • McKellar's solicitor argued that the custody threshold was not crossed and asked for a community correction order, but the court rejected this proposal.
  • The court sentenced McKellar to a six-month non-parole period, which will run from April 22, 2025, to October 21, 2025.

Statistics:

  • McKellar stole $500 worth of groceries from a supermarket.
  • The stolen goods included two pairs of 'Ghanda brand denim shorts, with tags, and one with a security device still attached.
  • McKellar was found to be hiding the stolen goods under her jumper.
  • McKellar had previously served a fixed term for larceny of $469.
  • The court sentenced McKellar to 10 months in jail with a six-month non-parole period.

Sources:

  • "Woman sentenced to 10 months in jail for shoplifting and resisting police" - [1]
  • Court documents from Orange Local Court, April 23, 2025
  • Interview with police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Brien
  • Statements from Magistrate Gary Wilson and McKellar's solicitor.

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