A WOMAN has been convicted and sentenced for slapping a pharmacist and stealing tablets after being banned from his store because of her previous threats.
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Amanda Lee Starkey, 33, of Illabo fronted Wagga Local Court on May 17 after pleading guilty to common assault, larceny, destroying property and behaving in an offensive manner in public.
Police documents tendered to the court state that Starkey, who was living in Lockhart at the time of the offences, was in the pharmacy on May 28, 2018 when the victim refused to complete a script for her because of the ban.
Starkey then went to the local medical centre and vented her frustrations there.
A staff member there contacted the victim saying Starkey told her she was going to the pharmacy and "she wants to smash your face in".
About 10 minutes later, Starkey went to the pharmacy and yelled at the victim: "You have to take me off the ban list".
As the victim escorted her out of the store, she slapped his forehead, causing his glasses to fall off.
The police documents also state that "the victim felt immediate pain and disorientation from the blow".
She then knocked over three more shelving units, spilling products over the floor and damaging several products.
She also stole one box of Apo-Sertraline tablets, valued at $18.
That night, she presented herself to Wagga police.
In court last Friday, defence solicitor Bronte Winn argued for a community corrections order.
"In relation to the sentencing assessment report, it's a positive report," Ms Winn said.
"Ms Starkey is receiving Newstart but in addition to that has decided to start her own business.
"While she does have a few matters, it's been noted in the sentence assessment report that her record has started to decline in the last decade.
"They [report authors] believe it's indicating a pragmatic change."
However, police prosecutor Priscilla Jones said there was an aggravating factor because the victim was a health professional.
"The anger displayed when she knocked the items from the shelves and the drugs she chose to take - I'd say these are quite serious offences, particularly with her record," she said.
Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim gave Starkey a two-year community corrections order subject to supervision.
Starkey was also ordered to compensate the pharmacy of $147.07 and fined $100 for larceny.
"While I accept the explanation by Ms Winn on your behalf, there is nothing that can ever justify you behaving in a violent way," Mr Abdul-Karim said.