Narelle Mary Toomey, 52, of Mutton Falls Road, Tarana, appeared before Magistrate Kevin Hockey last week charged with larceny and three counts of obtain property by deception.

Reading the police facts, Mr Hockey described the woman's behaviour as a low act.

But he noted Toomey had never been before a court before, nor even been in trouble.

Mr Hockey asked Toomey she had paid the money back and she said, "not yet".

Toomey told the court she was looking after her 91-year-old mother and her sister had recently been hospitalised with cancer.

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She also told the court the family had recently just buried her niece, the late Kelly Foster. She said she usually lives in Sydney but was in the area house sitting.

She went on to say there had been three deaths in the family prior to the incident but said it was no excuse.

Mr Hockey said she should be disgusted in herself.

"Yes I am," she said.

Police facts tendered to the court outlined how on January 30 this year, the owner of the wallet inadvertently left it at the cash register at Spotlight after paying for her items.

The accused was standing behind waiting to be served. She purchased items after the victim and was clearly seen on CCTV picking up the victim's wallet and placing it in front of her shopping trolley with a number of larger items over the wallet.

She then re-entered the store and made two further purchases using the victim's cards, one for $55.85 and another for $27.75. Toomey then went to Harvey Norman and again used the card.

On February 2, the accused entered Spotlight again. Staff recognised her and called police.

On March 5, she attended Bathurst police station, admitting to police it was a "shitty thing to do".

The larceny matter was dealt by way of a six-month community release order. The obtain property by deception charges were dismissed.

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