A Hamilton Parish woman has admitted stealing hot food and a drink from MarketPlace.

Appearing in Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Shalae Johnston said she figured she would have free lunch for the day.

The court heard that the 24-year-old was confronted by the assistant manager, who saw her trying to leave the Church Street store without paying for the items at around 1.15pm on February 23.

When asked by senior magistrate Juan Wolffe why she committed the offence, Johnston said she was an unemployed artist with no money “coming in at the moment”.

“I apologise for everything I [have] done. But at the time I figured I had free lunch for the day.”

However, Mr Wolffe said there appeared to be more “going on” with Johnston and ordered a social inquiry report.

He granted Johnston $500 bail with a like surety and set a sentencing date for May 4.

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