25
Apr
Two women avoid jail after shopping crime spree in Harrogate
Two women have avoided jail after stealing nearly £1,000 worth of makeup, cosmetics and perfume from shops in Harrogate.
Sandra Biharrova, 35, and Lucie Kotlarova, 33, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday (April 24) where they spoke to confirm their names, ages and addresses.
The pair had previously admitted a string of thefts in Harrogate, which predominantly took place on James Street.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court the pair jointly stole £500 worth of perfume from the department store Hoopers on James Street on October 27 last year.
She added that both Biharrova, of Bentley Lane in Leeds, and Kotlarova, of Darfield Street in Leeds, also stole cosmetics to the value of £147.90 from Rituals on the same date.
Ms Ibbotson said the pair were caught on CCTV committing the thefts on October 27 and were followed around town.
She said:
Police were made aware from CCTV operators that the females had stolen a large amount of perfume from Hoopers and operators followed them around Harrogate. Police later detained them and recovered a large amount of goods.
The court heard that Kotlarova also stole make up to the value of £350 from Space NK on Prospect Place on October 5, 2025.
Meanwhile, Biharrova also admitted three separate theft charges, which included DVDs from HMV, rings from Rude Studios and nuts from Out of This World in Leeds to a total value of £895.
The thefts in Leeds took place between July 30 and October 21 last year.
Ms Ibbotson said Kotlorova was also charged with theft of DVDs to the value of £200 from HMV on Albion Street in Leeds on October 17, 2025, and stealing straighteners and hair products to the value of £869.64 from Capital Hair and Beauty in Armley on February 11 this year.
She also admitted to failing to surrender to Leeds Magistrates Court on March 2 after being released on bail.
Lack of finances
Martin Townend, defending, told the court that Biharrova and Kotlarova had both pleaded guilty to all the offences at the earliest opportunity.
He added:
None of the facts are disputed. Both of the defendants give the reason for the thefts as lack of finances.
Both are remorseful for their actions.
Mr Townend said although both Biharrova and Kotlarova had been convicted of similar offences, they had completed the community orders imposed for those offences.
Magistrates told the pair that they were “running out of patience” with their offending.
Biharrova and Kotlarova were sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.
Kotlarova was also sentenced to a four-week prison sentence for failing to surrender to Leeds Magistrates Court, which will run concurrently with her suspended sentence.
Magistrates ordered that both undertake 25 rehabilitation activity days and pay a £154 victims’ surcharge.
No separate compensation or court costs were ordered to be paid.
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