Joanne Skinner, 45, of Rivett Place in Kelso appeared before magistrate Michael Allen in Bathurst Local Court on August 8, charged with shoplifting and obtain a financial benefit by deception.

The court heard on November 20 last year, Skinner entered Target at Scone, where she stole a Nutribullet worth $199 plus womens’ clothing worth $114.

It was around 10.30am when Skinner entered Target carrying empty plastic bags plus her handbag.

The court was told she went into the ladies clothing aisles where Skinner picked up a ladies dress, valued at $59, a skirt worth $29 and ladies jeggings worth $35 and the Nutribullet which was worth $199.

She then proceeded to customer service area where she tried to get a refund for products she had taken off the shelf.

Skinner originally tried to get a refund on the Nutribullet but was told Target does not do refunds on products available at other stores without proof of purchase.

Skinner became agitated so the staff member called for the manager who confirmed the item could not be returned without a receipt.

Skinner then placed the clothing items on the returns desk and said “I want all these returned as well.”

The staff member issued Skinner with a store credit of $114.00; as part of the transaction Skinner had to provide identification to the staff member.

She then left the store taking the Nutribullet she had not paid for with her, because she wasn’t able to get a refund on it.

Suspicious, staff from the store checked CCTV as they believed the items were stolen, and the CCTV footage confirmed this.

Security was called and the store credit given to Skinner for the clothing was cancelled.

Police were called, and Skinner was identified by the information she provided earlier.

She was convicted and placed on a Section 9 Bond for 12 months.