Serial shoplifter had child in tow
A prolific Taranaki shoplifter who took her young child along for the ride on one occasion told police her offending was motivated by the need to provide for her family.
Amy Margaret Honeybun appeared before Judge Gregory Hikaka in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday facing a raft of charges including shoplifting, theft, wilful trespass and driving while suspended.
Defence lawyer Andrew Laurenson entered guilty pleas to a number of new charges.
She had previously pleaded guilty to a raft of similar charges.
A police summary of facts stated Honeybun targeted New Plymouth stores, Morris Tool Shed and Trade Zone, between November 2020 and January 6, 2021, stealing batteries, gas lighters, gas bottles, tool sets and socket sets valued more than $1800. The 32-year-old would walk around the stores looking at different items, stashing them in her handbag before leaving without paying.
On August 16, 2020, Honeybun, who had her one-year-old child with her, stole clothing, shoes, sunglasses and a bag worth about $185 from Rebel Sports in Whanganui.
She revisited the store four days later again taking sunglasses and clothing valued at about $160.
In September, Honeybun twice visited Bunnings in Ha¯ wera, on the first occasion she wheeled out tools valued at $1254.45 in a trolley and packed them in her car before driving off.
On her second visit Honeybun had loaded a trolley with more than $1700 worth of items but left emptyhanded after she was recognised by staff.
The defendant, realising that she was being watched, abandoned the items in the trolley near the exit and left the store.
Later in September Honeybun, who had been suspended from driving in August, stole a further $1273 worth of goods from Bunnings in New Plymouth while using a friend’s car.
When caught Honeybun admitted the facts to police and in explanation claimed she wanted to provide for her family.
Laurenson said Honeybun had been remanded in custody since her arrest earlier this month, and he sought her sentencing date to be brought forward.
He submitted by the time Honeybun came up for sentencing she would have been in custody for about a month, equivalent to a twomonth sentence, and her offending would only attract a term of community detention.
Police prosecutor Zane Webby agreed an electronically monitored sentence would be appropriate while a probation officer confirmed Honeybun had a suitable address because her flatmate was serving home detention at the address.
Judge Hikaka remanded Honeybun in custody to reappear on January 28 for sentencing.