Shopper stole $2500 from handbag found in trolley

A woman who found a handbag in a supermarket trolley took out $2500 and spent it on Christmas presents.

Alice Gaylene Murphy, 35, was at Pak'nSave on December 10 last year when her 2-year-old child alerted her there was a handbag in their trolley, police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Willemsen said.

The Whanganui East woman took a sealed banking envelope out of the bag, and removed $2500 from it before ditching the handbag in an aisle and continuing her shopping.

Her actions were caught on CCTV cameras.

When spoken to by police, Murphy said she spent all the money on Christmas presents.

She pleaded guilty in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday to stealing the cash.
Judge David Cameron remanded her to August 16 for sentence and referred the matter to Restorative Justice.