A WOMAN who admitted exchanging what was alleged to be a faulty PlayStation, but which had been replaced in the box with a set of bathroom scales and some weights, has been fined at Dungannon Crown Court.
Mother of seven Geraldine Bernadette McDonagh (38) from Dunavon Park, Dungannon pleaded guilty to stealing a PlayStation 4 valued at £349 and making a false representation.
The court heard police were called to Sainsburys in the town on November 12 2017 after the PlayStation box was checked having been returned and exchanged for a new one.
CCTV was viewed and officers identified a woman who although not McDonagh, looked very similar and it would transpire was her sister.
This woman was spoken to and accepted exchanging the item on McDonagh's behalf, but knew nothing of the fraudulent contents.
A prosecution lawyer described this person as "essentially being used".
McDonagh was arrested and fully admitted what she had done, stressing her sister had no knowledge of the offences.
The PlayStation was located and returned to Sainburys, where it was deemed fit for re-sale.
Medical reports were submitted to the court, of which one – from a neurologist - was put forward in defence of McDonagh's mental capacity.
