Toni-Lee Moore, 53, appeared in the Gore District Court this week after being convicted of four counts of burglary, four of shoplifting and driving charges.
Judge Russell Walker noted a slew of similar previous crimes which stretched back more than 25 years but was impressed by the defendant’s recent efforts which had left her ‘‘in the best shape’’ she had ever been.
Moore, who appeared in court via video link from Christchurch Women’s Prison, said the rehabilitation she had undertaken while behind bars had ‘‘given me my life back’’.
She would do everything in her power to remain free of crime.
The court heard Moore embarked on a shoplifting spree on May 21 last year, stealing about $600 worth of clothing from four shops — Stirling Sports in Irk St, The Merino Story, Country Living and Hello Banana in Main St.
In Stirling Sports she took clothing to the changing rooms to try on.
When asked what was taking so long, Moore threw the garments at the staff member.
On the same day she returned a pair of Ugg boots to Paper Plus in Irk St but left with more items.
Court documents said she put 10 pairs of glasses from La Hoods pharmacy down her trousers, and pocketed jewellery from APT Collections.
Later, at Gore New World, she filled her trolley with beauty products and fresh meat, valued at about $580.
That afternoon, police saw Moore swipe a parked car’s wing mirror as she attempted to pass another vehicle near the Gore bridge.
She failed to pull over and was arrested at an associate’s address in Ontario St.
In the boot of her car, police found all the stolen items and later returned them to the retailers.
A blood test revealed Moore had methamphetamine in her system — 160ng per ml of blood — more than three times the high-risk limit.
She also refused to provide her phone PIN when requested by police.
Moore was sentenced to 18 months’ intensive supervision and banned from driving for a year.
‘‘You are in the best shape you have been ... [to] lead an offending-free life,’’ Judge Walker said.
