Woman stole from shop on way to court

A shoplifter who got cold in Storm Ali stopped off on her way to court to steal a coat from Primark.

Darlene Mullen took the jacket from the High Street store as she made her way to Perth Sheriff Court to be sentenced on other shoplifting charges.

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

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

Yesterday, Mullen appeared from custody and admitted stealing clothing from Primark, while on bail.

She also admitted being in possession of £100 worth of heroin when she was arrested and sentence was deferred for reports.

Co-accused Natalie Radunski, 22, also appeared from custody alongside Mullen and admitted stealing items of clothing from Primark yesterday.

A court source said: “It takes some nerve to stop off on the way to court to steal a jacket because you haven’t dressed warm enough to cope with the storm. 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 over to the security staff on the door at the court might not have been the brightest idea she ever had.”

Darlene Mullen is led from court.