Tamara Ahoy will spend the next four months behind bars after she was sentenced in the Armidale Local Court on Monday.

Ahoy was shopping in Coles in January when she seized an opportunity to steal a handbag while the 76-year-old owner’s back was turned. 

The handbag had been secured to the trolley with the child restraint straps, which prevented Ahoy from removing it.

When the elderly woman confronted her Ahoy took off, eventually confessing to police. 

Ahoy’s legal representative Patrick Kennedy told the court of her mental illness, which included suffering psychotic episodes.

“She wasn’t compliant with medication at the time,” Mr Kennedy said. 

He asked the court to take into account her mental condition.

Police prosecutor Jim McDonald however indicated jail time was necessary as a deterrent for Ahoy, “given her record of re-offending and the effect on the community”.

“Everyone in the community pays for this offence,” Sergeant McDonald said. 

“It is not a victimless crime,” Sergeant McDonald said.

Magistrate Mark Richardson agreed after reviewing her “extensive” history of shoplifting and larceny. 

Excluding Monday’s appearance, Ahoy had fronted court on shoplifting charges six times in the past nine years.

The latest incidents earning her a suspended sentence and two good behaviour bonds.

Magistrate Richardson noted  mental health and drug and alcohol abuse were factors in Ahoy’s case, handed down a 12 month sentence, with a non-parole of four months.