A serial Illawarra thief busted with more than $1,000 worth of goods stolen from Stockland Shellharbour has failed to convince a court her four months on remand were adequate punishment for her crimes.
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Lauren Penrith was one part of a three-woman criminal shoplifting syndicate caught with pilfered clothing, toys, stationary, groceries and pharmacy goods from seven shops inside the centre last year.
Penrith, who boasted to police "I keep ya's in a job by stealing" when arrested, was remanded in custody in September and spent four-and-a-half months behind bars before being released on conditional Supreme Court bail in mid-January.
During a sentencing hearing in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, Penrith's lawyer argued her client's time on remand was sufficient punishment and she shouldn't be returned to custody.
She noted all the stolen items had been recovered and said Penrith needed to be at liberty to look after her seven children.
However, Magistrate Jillian Kiely said Penrith's crimes had a high level of objective seriousness and involved significant planning.
"A number of stores were targeted...she wasn't shoplifting for need," Magistrate Kiely said in sentencing Penrith to a further four months' jail.
"There needs to be specific deterrence - she keeps offending despite court orders being in place."
A set of fact sheets tendered to the court said Penrith and two other women parked their car in a loading dock in the shopping centre carpark before heading inside to carry out their shoplifting spree.
They made at least two back to the car to load up the stolen goods.
The trio stole goods from Toy Mate ($24.97); The Reject Shop ($161.75); Woolworths ($93.99); Target ($119); KMart ($246); Priceline ($364.90) and Smiggle ($49.90). The total value was $1060.51.
Police were notified by security guards and arrived at the centre in time to arrest the trio at their car.
Penrith became aggressive and lunged at a police officer who sprayed one of the women with capsicum spray after she refused to get out of the car.
Penrith thrashed around and yelled at the officers "f--k off you f--king dogs, don't touch her".
Penrith will be released on seven months' parole at the end of May this year.
She was supported in court by her mother and partner, who became vocal in the courtroom as Penrith was taken downstairs by Corrective Services staff to the holding cells below the court.
"This is bullshit," he said loudly before stalking out of the courtroom.
