Chilly shoplifter stole a coat on her way to court

A SHOPLIFTER who didn’t want to get rained on stopped off on her way to court – to steal a coat from Primark.

Darlene Mullen took the garment from the High Street store as she made her way to court to be sentenced on other shoplifting charges.

She was wearing the stolen coat when she arrived at the door of the court – and even asked security staff to put the tags in a bin for her.

But Mullen, 26, had already been spotted on CCTV and was recognised by her distinctive red wellington boots so she was arrested on the court steps.

Perth Sheriff Court was told she was unable to appear because she had been arrested a short time before her case was called.

Yesterday Mullen, from Perth, central Scotland, appeared from custody and admitted stealing clothing from Primark on Wednesday. She also admitted possessing five wraps of heroin worth £100 when she was arrested.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte told the court: ‘The item was valued at £25. When the accused was arrested at court yesterday she was wearing the jacket.

‘Although it was not in a re-saleable condition, I doubt she still has it.’

Co-accused Natalie Radunski, 22, also from Perth, appeared alongside Mullen and admitted stealing clothing from Primark.

Sheriff Gillian Wade told them: ‘Both of your records are appalling. I am going to remand both of you in custody.’ She deferred sentencing for further reports.

An onlooker said: ‘It was absolutely tipping down when they arrived at court and Darlene hadn’t even taken the label and price tag off the jacket she had stolen.

‘To hand the tags to the security staff on the door at the court might not have been the brightest idea she ever had.

‘There was already an alert out for her after she was spotted leaving Primark and her bright red wellies made it pretty easy for the police to identify her.’