A woman who stole a £99 dress from a TK Maxx store due to “depression” was billed £100 by a court.

Sabtina Tahiri, 48, from Wilmington Gardens in Barking, pleaded guilty to theft when appearing at Barkingside Magistrates Court on August 7, and was ordered to pay £100 - slightly more than the cost of the dress.

Ms Tahiri entered TK Maxx in Ilford High Road on July 22 and took a £99.99 dress into a changing room, the court heard.

Staff then saw her leave the store without paying for anything, and found the dress was missing from the changing room when then went to look.

She was stopped outside the store, and staff discovered that the dress was “still secreted in her clothing, in a fit state to be re-sold”.

The defence solicitor said of Ms Tahiri: “She says she suffers from depression and is under treatment.

“It’s unfortunate that Ms Tahiri finds herself in this position today. She’s very upset about it and very remorseful.”

Judge Miller said: “You have been in court before and we don’t want to see you back again.

“On the basis that the goods were recovered, and the fact that you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, on this occasion we’re going to give you a conditional discharge for 12 months.

“If you commit any offences in the next 12 months you could be punished for today’s offence.”

Ms Tahiri was ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £15 victim surcharge, a total of £100.

Speaking through a translator, Ms Tahiri, who moved to Britain from Kosovo 14 years ago, was crying when she heard the sentence, and said she was “very, very sorry”.

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