A WOMAN “with an addiction to shoplifting” has been granted bail under strict conditions.
Deirdre Ann McKeown (57), of Galgorm Road, Ballymena, Co Antrim, is currently awaiting trial on six counts of theft and six of handling stolen goods totalling over £8,500.
She is accused of stealing jewellery, perfume, clothing, toiletries and cleaning products from unknown stores to the value of £7,600.
The mother-of-three is also charged with stealing clothing from Next stores in Antrim, Coleraine and Cookstown totalling £266.
She is further accused of stealing clothes to the value of £700 from Cuddys department store in Magherafelt, Co Derry.
All of the offences are alleged to have taken place on October 24, 2023.
Her defence mounted an urgent bail application at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday to secure her release ahead of a hospital appointment next week.
The barrister said if bail was granted, McKeown would reside with one of her daughters in Ballymena and a second daughter would lodge in court a cash surety of £1,000.
He outlined that the defendant had been referred to an organisation called Engage which helps women with addictions, and in the case of his client it was “an addiction to shoplifting’'
Objecting to bail, prosecution barrister Catherine Chasemore told the court it had “no confidence that she would comply with any bail conditions.’’
Judge Ramsey remarked that McKeown had a “compulsion to steal things and she doesn’t seem to pay much attention to bail conditions and suspended sentences’'.
However, the judge added: “With some hesitation I am going to commit her bail under stringent conditions.’’
McKeown is to be tagged from 9 am to 5.30 pm, must report to police daily to sign bail and must not travel in a car except for medical appointments or court appearances.
She must live with her daughter in Ballymena and another daughter is to lodge the £1,000 cash surety.
The defendant is also banned from entering any retail store in Northern Ireland; she must provide police with her mobile number, present any electronic devices as requested and must engage with the PSNI’S Repeat Offender Unit.