Northern Ireland

Yankee candles 'stolen to order'

The High Court heard that 16 candles, valued at &pound;200, were stolen from Menarys in Omagh on November 29.<br />&nbsp;
The High Court heard that 16 candles, valued at £200, were stolen from Menarys in Omagh on November 29.
 

A WOMAN allegedly raided a department store for Yankee Candles as part of a "steal to order" scheme, the High Court has heard.

Prosecutors claimed Kathryn Kelly and a male co-accused were involved in thefts of the scented lights destined for sale on Facebook.

A judge was also told police who tracked the suspects down to a Derry motel discovered cocaine, cannabis and extreme pornographic material featuring animals.

Kelly, of Belvoir Park in the city, was refused bail on a total of nine charges.

The 39-year-old is accused of theft, going equipped for theft with false number plates, handling stolen goods, conspiracy to steal and trading in counterfeit

products.

She also faces counts of possessing Class A and B drugs, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and having an extreme pornographic image.

Crown lawyer Conor Magauire said 16 Yankee candles valued at £200 were stolen from Menarys in Omagh, Co Tyrone on November 29.

A similar alleged theft was said to have been carried out at the store earlier that month.

Defence barrister Ben Thompson confirmed Kelly and her co-accused dispute having anything to do with the material contained on the phone.

"Both deny possessing the extremely unpleasant images on this device," he said.

Mr Thompson set out how Kelly was seeking release from custody in time for Christmas.

Denying bail, Mr Justice McCloskey described her application as "entirely unmeritorious."