It was his chance to play Santa, loading up his duffle-bag "sack" with some Tequila here, some lipstick and makeup there, even some decorations for the Christmas tree.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ronald McGillvray's shopping spree in central Albury on Monday morning ran into the hundreds of dollars, but had more of a pirate flavour than that of Father Christmas.
"The only flaw in Santa's plan," defence lawyer Tim Hemsley told magistrate Miranda Moody in Albury Local Court, "is he didn't pay for those goods he had on him."
IN OTHER NEWS:
McGillvray didn't pay for the $150 bottle of Fortaleza tequila reposada at First Choice Liquor, didn't swipe a bank card at an Amcal pharmacy for the range of Napoleon Perdis makeup tallying $348, handed over none of the $329.99 asking price for a chestnut fur throw rug at the Dean Street Sheridan outlet.
His thieving was captured on CCTV and he was arrested by police in Parkway Lane at 11.05am, 50 minutes after he began.
When police got McGillvray they also found other suspected stolen items in the bag, including the three decorations and a boxed-up box cutter.
"His (criminal) record doesn't assist him," Mr Hemsley said.
"But he does quite well under supervision."
Initially, Ms Moody considered ordering a sentence assessment report on the 28-year-old.
But Mr Hemsley said McGillvray - who pleaded guilty to three shoplifting charges and one of goods in custody - did not want to spend another six weeks in custody, bail refused, waiting for the report.
Ms Moody agreed, imposing a 12-month community corrections order, with supervision.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @bordermail
- Follow us on Instagram @bordermail
- Follow us on Google News
