'This is her last chance,' judge tells woman with 10 previous convictions for theft in Cork

The latest theft was of €473 worth of goods predominantly made up of 26 boxes of coffee

At Cork District Court the young woman pleaded guilty to her latest offence carried out on May 5 at Centra on Main Street, Ballincollig, County Cork. File picture: Larry Cummins

A 27-year-old woman who was convicted of theft for the 11th time was given a suspended jail term as the judge warned that she had been given chances before but that this was her last chance.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said Constanza Munteanu of 50 Orchard Court, Blackpool, Cork, had 10 previous theft convictions.

Now at Cork District Court the young woman has pleaded guilty to her latest offence carried out on May 5 at Centra on Main Street, Ballincollig, County Cork.

The particulars of the charge refer to the theft of €473 worth of groceries from the store on that date. The stolen property was predominantly made up of coffee — 26 boxes.

Dennis Healy, solicitor, said the mother of three was pleading guilty to carrying out the theft. He said a total of four people were involved in this incident but Ms Munteanu was the only one stepping forward to take responsibility.

“She took the blame for others,” Mr Healy added.

Referring to the previous convictions outlined by Sergeant Aisling Murphy, Judge Mary Dorgan said of Ms Munteanu: “She has had plenty of chances. This is her last chance.”