AT the tender age of 13, a Lavington girl is already drinking alcohol.
Albury Children’s Court heard yesterday it was possibly a catalyst for the girl and other teenagers to decide to break into the IGA supermarket in East Albury.
She was part of a group that used a brick to smash their way inside the supermarket in December to steal cigarette products and mobile phones.
But they were caught by police within hours.
The girl appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated break and enter committing a serious indictable offence in company.
She was put on supervised probation for 12 months and cannot associate with four other teenagers involved in the incident.
The girl was with others at a house in Chambers Street in Albury on December 3.
It was decided to break into the supermarket and a youth collected a brick as they went there.
About 2.20am, the brick was used to smash a glass panel in the front door.
The group broke a cigarette cabinet and stole tobacco, cigarettes, papers, filters and lighters.
The girl and others stole mobile phones from cabinets and left the store.
Their actions were captured on security camera footage and security staff arrived within five minutes.
Police viewed the footage and made attempts to find the group.
They spoke to a nearby resident who denied anyone was there.
But police heard voices in the back yard and waited close by.
The group left about 4.30am and were arrested wearing clothing similar to what was shown in the footage.
Several stolen items were found on them.
