Cleared of murder, guilty of theft

Natalie Ford. Photo / NZ Herald

Less than a week after being acquitted of murdering a partner she alleged bashed her, Natalie Ford was back in the dock - this time on a charge of shoplifting.

Ford pleaded guilty to stealing a leg of lamb and a box of Magnum icecreams from Pak'n Save in Sylvia Park last month.

The items were stolen less than a week before the 44-year-old's High Court trial began, and were worth $48.80.

Yesterday, in the Auckland District Court, Ford pleaded guilty to the theft.

Defence lawyer Andrew Speed told the court Ford had already spent considerable time in custody and on restrictive bail conditions while waiting for the murder trial. He said she hoped to move away from the city and live with her sister in Tauranga.

Community magistrate Rebecca Ewert convicted Ford and told her she would have to return to court for sentencing if called upon in the next nine months.

"Hopefully, this gives you an opportunity to set up home in Tauranga."

The sentence is effectively a good behaviour bond and Ford will not receive any further penalties if she does not get into trouble with the law.

Last week, Ford was acquitted in the High Court at Auckland of murdering her partner, Gary Marshall.