‘Self-entitled’: shoplifter cops a spray in Geraldton court

Two staff members allegedly had a dagger pulled on them when they confronted a pair of shoplifters outside a Geraldton supermarket, a court has heard. Donald William Flanagan, 38, and Delvene Alma Pickett, 37, were each sentenced in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Monday to seven-month suspended jail terms. The couple, both of whom pleaded guilty to common assault and stealing, were also fined $1000 each. The court heard Flanagan and Pickett entered the Wonthella Aldi store about 9am on February 14 and filled a backpack with $100 worth of toiletry items. Making no effort to pay, they activated an electronic emergency exit door and fled the store. They were followed by two workers, one of whom was grabbed and pushed by Pickett. In the scuffle that followed the worker’s shirt was torn and their hand scratched, though the worker managed to seize the backpack. Meanwhile, Flanagan allegedly pulled an “ornamental dagger” from his pocket Defence lawyer Eva Svanberg disputed that detail, saying the dagger actually “fell out” of Flanagan’s pocket. “It was not produced as such, and Mr Flanagan kicked it away,” she said. But police prosecutor Acting Sgt Glen Wishart said though Flanagan was not charged with armed robbery, he was still carrying a weapon. “These aren’t trivial matters,” he said. “It appears there is a harm to the community and business owners where Ms Pickett and Mr Flanagan persistently go into shops with intent to steal.” When Pickett interjected she received a blasting from Magistrate Chris Miocevich. “I’ve read the reports: you have this self-entitled right in your head to go out and steal things from people,” he said. “You’re shaking your head, yet you continually go out and steal things. “The violence that you’ve used has a profound effect on (retail workers), so in my view imprisonment has been reached ... Because of your pleas I am prepared to suspend that term.” The pair were also ordered to pay more than $1000 compensation to Geraldton businesses they stole from, including Willocks Surf and Harvey Norman.