Natasha Dempsey, 41, of no fixed address in Shepparton, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to five counts of theft from a shop, willful trespass in a public place, assaulting an emergency worker on duty, three counts of committing an indicatable offence while on bail and contravening a bail condition.
Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Fiona Kennedy told the court police saw Dempsey laying under a blanket in the ATM area at the Commonwealth Bank in High St, Shepparton, at 2.25am on September 4 last year.
When they went to check on her, Dempsey yelled abuse at the police and spat at one of the officers.
Leading Senior Constable Kennedy also told the court Dempsey stole two cans of Jack Daniels from First Choice Liquor in Shepparton on October 16, 2021, and another can of cider later the same day.
She also stole two cans of Jack Daniels from the same store on December 11 last year.
The court also heard she stole a duffel bag and several items of clothing from Vinnies opportunity shop in Shepparton on December 15, 2021, and more clothing from the same shop the following day.
Leading Senior Constable Kennedy said Dempsey had previously been given a trespass notice six months earlier not to attend the store.
Dempsey’s solicitor John McNamara said his client stole the clothes from Vinnies because she was homeless.
Mr McNamara said Dempsey could not remember spitting at the police officer, but that now she had had time to withdraw from substance abuse while in custody she regretted her actions.
Dempsey was sentenced to 25 days prison, but was released from jail immediately as it was time she had already served on remand.
