A woman who stole a cellphone from the Greymouth Courthouse office stood in the court dock yesterday to admit the theft.
Robyn Jane Gregg was standing at the office counter alongside another person, who moved from one counter to another, leaving their cellphone behind.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Eden said Gregg walked up and removed the cellphone from the counter, put it in her handbag and walked out.
Gregg told police she had no money and was going to use the cellphone for herself. The phone was recovered.
Judge Brian Callaghan said restorative justice would not do Gregg any harm.