Magistrates' Court.

Tavonne Martin, of Deepdale East, Pembroke, was given a conditional discharge by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner after she pleaded guilty to stealing $10 worth of fake fingernails from the Phoenix Store on Reid Street.

A store detective watched Martin put two packages of fake nails in her handbag before picking up shampoo and paying for it at the counter.

She was stopped outside the store and the Police were summoned.

A subsequent search revealed the packages and over $100 cash was in her handbag.

Martin told Police she wanted to save up enough money to give her children a birthday party.

She told Police: "I'm sorry. I wish I could turn back time.'' Mr. Warner told her: "I'm going to give you the opportunity to, as you say, turn back time.'' He said a criminal conviction was no joke and could prohibit her from employment and travel.

"If I gave you a criminal conviction, what are you going to do? I want you to realise the silliness of what you're done.'' As long as Martin does not commit another offence within six months, the conviction will "simply disappear'' said Mr. Warner.