A shoplifter who threatened security guards with hypodermic syringes during thefts in Llanelli has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Kara Racuoco, 41, of no fixed abode, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to two counts of robbery and two counts of theft.
Incidents at Asda and Home Bargains
Lewis Ball, prosecuting, told the court that on April 7 this year a security guard at the Asda supermarket in the St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli saw the defendant placing bottles of wine into a bag. When challenged, Racuoco produced a needle and told the guard: "Come anywhere near me and you'll have this".
She left the shop with the wine and was located later that day still in possession of the wine and a syringe. After being questioned, she was released on bail.
Just over a month later, on the morning of May 5, the defendant was seen on CCTV entering the Home Bargains shop on Station Road in Llanelli, where she put a bottle of wine into her pocket before leaving.
Claimed to own Asda
Eleven days later, Racuoco returned to the Asda store in the St Elli centre. A security guard, knowing she was banned from the store, asked her to leave after seeing her pick up joints of meat. The court heard that when challenged, Racuoco claimed: "I own Asda, my family own Asda". She then produced a needle, removed the cap, and threatened to stab the guard with it before making off.
The incident was reported to police, and officers located and arrested Racuoco the following day. When searched, she was found in possession of a syringe and £95-worth of meat belonging to Tesco.
Mental health background
Hannah George, for Racuoco, said the defendant had an "extremely troubled history" and that "significant childhood trauma" from an early age had led her to misuse illicit substances. She said Racuoco had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and mental and behavioural disorders, including experiencing "significant delusional beliefs" such as believing she owned Greggs the bakers.
The barrister said at the time of the offences her client did not have stable accommodation, was not taking her prescribed medication, and had returned to alcohol and drug misuse. She said the reality was that Racuoco "was not well".
The defendant has 41 previous convictions for 66 offences, including 27 thefts and kindred matters.
Sentence
Judge Christopher Vosper KC said it was clear Racuoco had been engaged in shoplifting and had used the threat of force on two occasions in doing so.
With 20% discounts for the guilty pleas, the defendant was sentenced to four years in prison. Judge Vosper said it was his understanding that the defendant would serve one-third of the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
