A ’modern-day Fagin’ has been jailed after more than £26,000 worth of stolen goods were found at her Ramsey home.

Rita Margaret Callister was sentenced to 23 months in prison by Deemster Alastair Montgomerie after pleading guilty to three counts of theft, two of handling stolen goods, and one of possessing the proceeds of crime.

Callister, aged 62, sold many items on eBay, raking in more than £22,000 into an account she had set up.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie criticised Callister for providing no explanation as to how she had come into possession of all the items, and said that it indicated a group activity in which she played a leading role.

’You were unable or unwilling to give an explanation for much of your offending. In my view that speaks volumes,’ he said.

’You sold many items through eBay over a lengthy period acquiring well over £22,000.

’Your offending was planned and pre-meditated. You could be described as a modern-day Fagin.’

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, in October 2016, Shoprite in Victoria Street, Douglas, reported that Callister had left the store without paying for bottles of champagne, gin and wine.

In the same month, Lloyds pharmacy reported that Callister had left without paying for items including an electric shaver and cod liver oil tablets.

On October 13 police went to Callister’s home at Auldyn Walk and she told them: ’I have taken some bottles from Shoprite. The alcohol is in the kitchen.’

She showed them to a bedroom which contained the items from Lloyds pharmacy.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Officers found a large amount of clothing of different sizes and gender, with tags on, in one bedroom.

And in another bedroom, 30 handbags were found on a bed with the tags still on, together with make up items.

Callister told police: ’They’re not mine, I’m looking after them.’

In total, the haul featured £19,218 of clothing and accessories from Tynwald Mills; £1,665 of items from William Curphey Ltd, £1,382 of Boots products, £1,173 of items from Lloyds pharmacy, £672 of Road and Track items, Superdrug items valued at £610, items from Dorothy Perkins/Burtons worth £462, Intersport items worth £384, £319 of goods from River Island, £164 of goods from New Look, £140 of Marks and Spencer items, £123 of items from Arcadia Group, £80 of items from Peacocks, and Next items worth £66.

A search of Callister’s Ford Fiesta found Tynwald Mills bags, a high strength magnet and a wire cutter.

Cash was also found in her house totalling £2,790.

Callister handed in a prepared statement denying all the offences and gave a ’no comment’ response to all questions.

seized

A number of postal receipts were recovered and CCTV showed Callister posting a large parcel.

A laptop, tablet and phone were seized but Callister refused to give police access to the devices.

Police were able to access one of the devices and a history of sales on an eBay account under the name of ’J Ding Dong’ were found.

The account was linked to the name J. Smith, which was Callister’s previous surname.

About 1,500 items were found to have been sold and a PayPal account showed sales totalling £22,884.

Tax returns were obtained for Callister which showed her earnings since 2012 declared as between £12,500 and £13,500 per annum.

Defence advocate Jane Gray said the fact Callister wasn’t charged until two years later had an impact on her mental health.

Ms Gray quoted a probation report which stated when asked why she had committed the crimes Callister had said: ’I don’t know why I do it. There’s just something not right, I don’t know what it is.’

Deemster Montgomerie said: ’It could be argued she brought the length of time on herself. She didn’t assist the investigation in any way at all.’