A woman who obtained sequinned dance-style costumes from people in the UK, under false pretences, so the costumes could be worn to weddings and other such functions, was given a suspended sentence at Ballina District Court.
Evidence was given at a previous sitting that gardaí received reports in November and December of 2010 that a ‘Samantha Collins’ had posted blogs, under the username S2010, on a reputable website www.dance.net In these blogs the woman claimed that she owned a dance production company — Dance Supreme Ireland— and was looking for dancing dresses, which were encrusted with diamonds and sequins.
Dresses had been sent from the UK to this woman by parents who wanted to sell and trade costumes, however not all the dresses were returned or paid for, and four dresses are still missing. Each dress was worth approximately £400.
Garda inquiries showed that this company was in fact owned by someone else and the owner had not authorised such solicitation of his company. Also, Samantha Collins was in fact Samantha Ward, 21 Dolmen View, Foxford Road, Ballina.
The home of the defendant was searched on December 6 and five dresses were recovered.
Peter Loftus, solicitor for the 19-year-old defendant, said that Ward did wear some of these costumes to functions. Ward told the court that her aunt, who is in the UK, told her to do it.
Judge Mary Devins remanded Ward on continuing bail to January 24 for sentencing on two conditions; that the prosecution have liberty to re-enter and that full compensation of €1,020 must be paid on, or before, the court date to the four injured parties.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the court heard that only €200 was in court as the compensation money had been used for family members to attend a family funeral this week. However, after Judge Devins told Mr Loftus that his client needs to have the money in court or to “pack her toothbrush”, the full compensation was produced. The judge convicted and sentenced Ward to four months’ detention, suspended for 12 months.
