to stealing batteries from a grocery store.

Oneika Cross, 25, of Simmons Lane, was granted a conditional discharge in Magistrates' Court for the offence.

The theft took place at the Heron Bay MarketPlace around 11.30 a.m. on June 21 of this year.

Police prosecutor Sgt. Anthony Mouchette said: "The assistant manager of the store was in the warehouse when he saw the defendant -- who was employed by a soft drink company responsible for stacking shelves at various stores -- walking toward him with her hands behind her back.

"He noticed a pack of Duracell AA batteries in her hands. When he questioned the cashiers, none of them were able to verify that Cross had purchased the batteries.'' When Cross attempted to leave the store, she was approached by Police officers who escorted her into the manager's office for an interview.

A search was conducted and six of the eight batteries were recovered in her bag. Cross admitted that she had used the two batteries to operate her portable CD player.

"I had fresh batteries in my car, but I was too lazy to go and get them.'' she told Police at the scene. "The lines are always too long when I get stuff.'' But defence lawyer Victoria Pearman provided the court with a different version of events.

Mrs. Pearman said during work hours it was customary for Cross to obtain goods from various stores and to pay for them before she left.

"She had been doing this for well over a year,'' Mrs. Pearman added. "Now she has lost her job.

"At no time did the defendant conceal these batteries. From the outset she said she it was always her intention to pay for them. She has a clean record.'' After hearing both sides of the story, Magistrate Edward King granted Cross a conditional discharge for the next six months.

"If you keep the peace for the next six months and you pass with flying colours, you will have no criminal record,'' Mr. King explained. "If you don't, then you can be charged with that offence as well as this one. So, be careful until then.''