Walking into the Masterton Warehouse wearing only socks on her feet, Melanie Faith Collin put on a pair of boots she liked and left without paying for them.
The 19-year-old from Greytown who had pleaded guilty to theft had been offered police diversion, which would have avoided a conviction.
She appeared before Judge Chris Tuohy in the Masterton District Court for sentencing and was convicted on the charge.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said Collin failed to complete diversion of 10 hours' community work, to pay $39 reparation and write a letter of apology.
About 5pm on July 26, Collin had gone to the Masterton Warehouse store, put on a pair of black boots and walked out without paying for them, Mr Wilson said. When spoken to by police she had said "she liked them so took them and didn't have any money for them".
