A SHOPLIFTER told a member of staff at a chemist she was “wearing far too much make-up” as she stole perfume and aftershave.

Lucy Dobbin, 34, entered Cohens Chemist in Cleator Moor on December 21, Workington Magistrates’ Court was told.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the defendant was there with a male and was seen to place perfume and aftershave into her pockets.

She was spoken to by the staff but became abusive towards them. She was described as being “quite unpleasant”, making threats to one and insults to the other.

She was personal about a member of staff’s looks, telling her, “look at your make-up, it’s all cakey.”

Ms Fee said the member of staff went and “had a good cry” after the incident.

Dobbin said to the other member of staff, “you know me, don’t you?” She then told her she would meet her outside.

The woman said she was fearful of what Dobbin had said and was worried she would be waiting outside to attack her.

Dobbin was described as being drunk and slurring her speech. She was angry and getting louder so a member of staff had phoned the police.

The defendant was interviewed on December 22 and made ‘no comment’ throughout.

Dobbin, of Egremont, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft from a shop and two charges of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

John Cooper, defending, said: “She is working with Women Out West. She has been a victim of domestic violence.

“This was a new partner she had been seeing for a short period of time. He had taken her out drinking. She has never stolen anything in her life before.

“The man was passing her the perfume. When she is accused of stealing, she makes insults to the staff.

“She comments on looks. She doesn’t say she is ugly. She just says she is wearing far too much make-up.

“She wasn’t saying I will batter you. She just said I will meet you later. I appreciate people will read into that.

“It’s a guilty plea at the first opportunity. She had alcohol at the time. It’s the first theft ever on her record. She has stayed out of trouble since 2021.”

Lead magistrate Michael Coulson said: “You have got one young lady in tears and one worried you are going to be outside to attack her. 

“You were under the influence of alcohol. You have got a number of like-offences on your record.”

Dobbin was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and an 80-day alcohol abstience and monitoring requirement.

She was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

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