Susan Doolan, 62, of Shepparton, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to two counts of theft.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Anna Hanlon said Doolan stole an $84.99 wrench set from a Mooroopna hardware store on December 5, 2023.
She also stole a $68.95 Black Caviar purse from a gift shop on Maude St, Shepparton on March 28.
When police went to Doolan’s home in May to ask her about the gift shop theft, she tried to hide from them, Leading Sen Constable Hanlon said.
She eventually told police, “I don’t know, was just upset that day, no excuse though”.
Doolan was on an adjourned undertaking at the time of both offences.
Doolan’s defence solicitor, Luke Slater, said his client was a potential kleptomaniac, but was yet to be diagnosed.
However, she had suffered with ADHD all of her life and been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Mr Slater said.
Magistrate Simon Zebrowski said Doolan showed an “unfortunate pattern”, with court records dating back to the 1980s, and had received “every disposition under the sun” from the courts, yet nothing seemed to deter her.
He said he didn’t want to send her to prison, but was unsure of what else to do because she was “at that point”.
Mr Zebrowski sentenced Doolan to a 12-month community corrections order.
As part of the order she will have to take part in programs for mental health to reduce re-offending.
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