Debenhams' security staff quickly picked up scent of Sunderland perfume thief

Jully Adams, 31, of Dene Street, Houghton, took the goods from Debenhams’ store, in The Bridges shopping centre, in Sunderland city centre, on Tuesday, January 7.

She was seen to swipe the Thierry Mugler perfume and left without paying before she was stopped by security staff just outside the shop.

When searched, she was also found in possession of a pair of stolen earrings, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

Adams failed to appear for her case due to mental health issues and her solicitor, Paul McAlindon, entered a guilty plea to the single charge of theft in her absence.

Prosecutor Alan Davison said: “At 1.10pm, she picked up a bottle of Thierry Mugler perfume and left without paying.

“She was detained outside and a pair of earrings that she had also not paid for were recovered.

“It is accepted that she left the store without paying. She does have a record, but she is lightly convicted.”

Mr McAlindon told the hearing: “It is a relatively straight forward offence, there was nothing sophisticated about this.

“She appears to have been in a confused state and her judgement was affected by the mental health issues that she has been having.

“She is someone who is heavily medicated. She is a lady who suffers from mental health issues.

“Taking that into account, she does fully accept that she was the person in this shop.

“She has two previous matters for theft from a shop on her record, but there’s nothing else.

“She is receiving some assistance for her mental health problems.”

The court heard the combined value of the goods was £38 and that both items were recovered.

It was also said that Adams owes the court service £170 in outstanding fines which are being paid in instalments.

Magistrates fined Adams £40 and ordered her to pay a £34 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.

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