Guilty plea | 

Serial thief with 122 previous criminal convictions is jailed for spate of crimes

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A serial shoplifter who stole Yankee candles, meat and cosmetics in a theft spree has been jailed for 10 months.

Ruth Oburu (24) already had 122 previous criminal convictions when she appeared in Dublin District Court on multiple theft charges.

The accused, of Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas, pleaded guilty.

Garda Sergeant Tony Flanagan told Judge Bryan Smyth that Oburu stole goods including alcohol, cosmetics, groceries, candles and meat at supermarkets and pharmacies around Dublin between 2021 and this year.

On one occasion she was in a group of three people who stole €520 worth of groceries from a Dunnes Stores. In four of the thefts, no property was recovered.

The accused had previous convictions for theft and 39 bench warrants had been issued for her arrest.

Oburu had suffered “trauma and anxiety” that led her to begin taking street tablets, her lawyer said.

She “graduated” to more serious drugs and became homeless.

Oburu had gone for treatment and detoxed from all drugs except methadone.

The court heard that the accused had a good work record, having had jobs in a hotel and a chipper.