'I do appreciate it, I really do,' woman tells judge after suspended sentence for Cork charity shop theft

Stealing from a charity shop is not acceptable at any level, a district court judge said as she commented that a theft from Self-Help Africa charity shop in Cork was “the worst I ever heard.”

The woman who carried out the theft, 42-year-old Jessica Stokes of 23 Boyne Crescent, Mayfield, said at Cork District Court: “I didn’t know what I was doing. I apologise. I paid the money back to the charity shop.”

Ms Stokes stole property to the value of €26 when she visited Self-Help Africa on North Main Street, Cork, on October 9 2025.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the facts behind the latest prosecution of Ms Stokes for several shoplifting offences including the one at the charity shop.

Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said: “Her addiction issues with alcohol commenced when she was only 13. This progressed from alcohol to alcohol and drugs at the age of 18.

“This offending (now before Cork District Court) spread out over a two-day period. Her craving for drugs was such that she did not care if she was caught – she knew she would be caught. She was in a totally chaotic state.”

Judge Miriam Walsh saidL “It is bad enough that she would go to any of these shops – Boots and Brown Thomas – but to go to a charity shop and steal clothing worth €26 is a bridge too far. It is unacceptable at any level.

Ms Stokes said: “Your honour, I really apologise, I am nine months clean, it is not my form.”

Judge Walsh said:

“You have 14 previous – if that is not your form, what is? 14 previous for theft is what is called form – that is form. Am I missing something here?”

Ms Stokes said: “I got caught up in drugs. I just lost it. I apologise. I want to stay clean and live a normal life again. I just want another chance, and go back to work.”

Repeating that she was appalled at anyone stealing from a charity shop, the judge imposed a series of consecutive sentences totalling eight months but suspended them on condition that the accused would commit no offences in the next 12 months.

Ms Stokes said: “Thank you very so much, your honour. I do appreciate it, I really do.”

Other shoplifting offences in the two-day period last October occurred at Boots on Half Moon Street, Brown Thomas on Patrick Street, Carraig Donn in Merchants Quay shopping centre, Next on Opera Lane, and Bath and Body Works on Opera Lane. 

Most of the stolen property was recovered.