Thief’s perfume haul

Convicted for stealing $3400 worth of Ariana Grande scents

A prolific shoplifter with a nose for Ariana Grandebranded scents stole thousands of dollars worth of fragrances from chemists across Launceston during an eight-month crime spree, a court has heard.

Luke White, 32, pleaded guilty to 22 counts of stealing and five counts of driving without a licence and appeared at the Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday to learn his sentencing fate.

Police prosecutor Kelly Brown said from May 2023 until January 2024, White targeted several Chemist Warehouse locations in Launceston, each time stealing multiple Ariana Grandebranded fragrances valued between $49.99 to $59.99. Ms Brown said the total value of the items was about $3400.

The court heard on one occasion, on August 23, 2023, White entered the Chemist Warehouse on Charles St wearing a pink wig.

White proceeded to pick up two 100ml Ariana Grande perfumes valued at $118 total said “thank you” to the service staff, and walked out without attempting to pay.

White was identified on CCTV and contacted by police about the shoplifting.

Ms Brown said White admitted to police he stole the perfume and had “been stealing flat out recently”.

The court heard White had said he had sold the stolen property to a friend and had given some of the perfume to his sister in Queensland.

Neither the friend nor White’s sister are accused of any wrongdoing, nor is there any suggestion they knew the items were stolen.

Defence lawyer Lucy Flanagan said White had not been issued a birth certificate when he was born and had not opened a bank account as a result.

Ms Flanagan said he had often stolen items as a means for income as he was unable to receive Centrelink support.

Magistrate Simon Brown said he understood White had

“stolen out of a need to survive”. Mr Brown said this did not excuse his behaviour, citing the cost of shoplifting on the community each year.

White was convicted on all charges and sentenced to three months in prison, backdated to January 16, to account for the time he spent in custody.

Mr Brown also disqualified White from driving for three months from April 17 and ordered him to undertake a sixmonth community corrections order.