Pharmacy thieves avoid jail

Paterson and Marran receive over 100 hours' community service

A Douglas duo who stole over £2,000 worth of goods from a high street store have escaped jail.

Abigail Paterson, 21, and Rebecca Marran, 23, appeared for sentencing at Douglas Courthouse.

The court heard how Paterson - at the time an employee at Boots Pharmacy on Strand Street - and Marran - a former employee - pre-meditated the thefts in March this year.

A plan was hatched to scan high value items, including a baby monitor and an electric toothbrush, through the till as £1 bottles of shower gel.

Additional stolen cosmetics brought the total value of items to £2,046 - of which over £1,700 could not be recovered.

Remorse was said to have got the better of the pair, who later tried to return the items.

Calling it a 'very mean' offence, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced Marran to 50 hours' community service, and Paterson to 80 hours.