Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
13
Feb
Two women admit shopping crime spree in Harrogate
Two women have admitted stealing nearly £1,000 worth of makeup, cosmetics and perfume from shops in Harrogate.
Sandra Biharrova, 34, and Lucie Kotlarova, 33, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning (February 13) where they spoke to confirm their names, ages and addresses.
The pair admitted a string of thefts in Harrogate, which predominantly took place on James Street.
Mel Ibbotson, prosecuting, told the court that the offences were “planned” and that the defendants had previous convictions for similar charges.
Biharrova, of Bentley Lane in Leeds, admitted stealing £500 worth of perfume from the department store Hoopers on James Street on October 27 last year with Kotlarova.
Kotlarova also admitted the charge.
Biharrova also pleaded guilty to jointly stealing cosmetics to the value of £147.90 with Kotlarova from cosmetic shop Rituals on James Street. Kotlarova pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place on the same date.
Meanwhile, Kotlarova, of Darfield Street in Leeds, admitted stealing make up to the value of £350 from Space NK on Prospect Place on October 5, 2025.
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.
Disputed values
Martin Townend, defending, told the court that both defendants had pleaded guilty to all the offences put to them.
He added that although both Biharrova and Kotlarova had been convicted of similar offences, they had completed the community orders imposed for those offences “satisfactorily”.
Meanwhile, Mr Townend said the defendants disputed some of the values included in the charges, such as the £100 worth of nuts from Out of This World.
He added that the offences were committed in "desperation" and that there had been "no offending" since that date of the thefts.
Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing hearing on April 24.
Both defendants were bailed and ordered not to enter Harrogate town centre unless attending court.
0