A Moray woman has admitted stealing almost £2,000 worth of Lego from an Elgin supermarket.
Lucy Miller shoplifted boxes of the plastic bricks from the Tesco on Blackfriar’s Road in July, and later sold them over social media.
The 32-year-old said she was driven to commit the thefts to pay for her daughter to go on outings with her friends.
When Miller appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday, she admitted five charges of “stealing large quantities of construction toys” on dates between Tuesday, July 12, and Saturday, July 23.
Fiscal Kevin Corrins said shopworkers asked security staff to review CCTV after noting a “significant amount of missing Lego”.
He added: “On the dates in question, the accused was seen entering the toy aisle and selecting items from the Lego section, then going to a self-scan checkout and not paying for it.”
When Miller returned on Saturday, July 23, staff were ready for her and watched her carry out the same routine before contacting the police.
The accused admitted to stealing Lego with a retail value of £1,750, and told officers she had been selling the goods over a Moray Buy, Swap and Sell website.
Solicitor Brent Lockie told the court his client as a single mother with a disabled six-year-old daughter.
He added: “She is a full-time carer for her child, and lives a somewhat isolated existence.
“My client has limited finances, and her daughter is at an age where she wants to do things with her peers.
“She stole these items to fund things like swimming and dance classes.”
Sentence was deferred on Miller, of 12 Main Road in Alves, for six months – during which time she must be of good behaviour.
