Two women who stole artificial hair from stores in unrelated incidents were yesterday chastised in Magistrates’ Court.Ebony Dillas, of Alexandra Road, Devonshire, and Tamika Zuill, of Somers Road, Sandys, both pleaded guilty to theft.Prosecutor Cindy Clarke said 20-year-old Dillas took two packs of hair valued at $65 each, from The Salon Store on Reid Street on September 10.She was arrested after store employee Oswald Hinds spotted the hair inside her bag.Lawyer Oonagh Vaucrosson said the offence was “completely out of character” for Dillas, a BIU gas station employee. She said Dillas intends to go to university in the future and also volunteers her time.Dillas apologised to the court, however Magistrate Juan Wolffe said he wanted to know why it happened at all.“What was going through your mind that made you steal artificial hair?” he asked.Dillas replied: “It was just a silly decision.”Mr Wolffe pressured her for an answer: “Why? To beautify yourself, you’re going to risk your future?”He then asked her why she should not be convicted for theft.“It’s not easy, work-wise and trying to find a job today,” Dillas replied.Said Mr Wolffe: “Well you’re not stealing food, you’re not stealing necessities. You’re stealing hair — something artificial.”He released her on a 12-month conditional discharge because of her age, early guilty plea and the fact that she had no previous convictions.Zuill stole two packages of Milky Way hair from Fadoo Hair and Wig Shop on King Street, a day after Dillas’ theft.Ms Clarke said the 31-year-old was spotted by owner Phyllis Eversley’s granddaughter.She told her grandmother, who ran out of the store shouting after Zuill: “Bring back the hair you stole from the shop.”Yesterday Zuill admitted to stealing the two packs, which were together valued at $95.Ms Vaucrosson told the court that Zuill is a shop assistant at Digicel and the mother of two teenage boys.She apologised to the court: “I’m remorsefully sorry. I’m a single parent, but I’m not using it as a crutch.”However, the Magistrate noted that Zuill had previous convictions for dishonesty, one specifically for receiving stolen hair products.“You’re wasting your own time,” said Mr Wolffe.Zuill said she has been attending counselling for the past four years for her stealing problem. She insisted she listens to the advice given, but in dire circumstances resorts to her old ways.“I can’t see how stealing hair constitutes as dire circumstances,” said the Magistrate. “It’s not bread.”He continued: “What are you going to say to your children now?”Zuill replied: “I messed up. I’m sorry for messing up. I’m trying my hardest.”Mr Wolffe ordered a social inquiry report and released Zuill on $5,000 bail until November 8 when she was ordered to return to court for mention.