Victoria’s Secret: Belfast woman jailed for stealing pajamas

Belfast Magistrates’ Court was told McAuley committed theft from Next between September 20 and 30 last year.

The incident at Boots took place in the Boucher Crescent retail park on October 9, after which the woman confronted staff before resisting attempts to arrest her.

“Two off-duty police officers had to intervene, after which the woman continued to resist and had to be immobilized,” the prosecutor said.

McAuley was subsequently banned from entering Belfast stores participating in the Retail Crimewatch Scheme.

The court was also told that on October 11, 2023, she had previously stolen goods worth a total of £518 from another Next store in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim.

Defense attorney Norman Shannon said McAuley struggled with alcohol and drug abuse.

“He beats an addiction and then he falls off the wagon again,” Shannon said.

Sentencing her to seven months, District Judge George Conner said: “Given the value of the pajamas, this appears to be commercial theft.”