Women's underwear led a man to prison: shopping without paying failed

Uman City-District Court of Cherkasy Oblast issued a verdict against a man who, according to the case materials, decided to treat himself to a very specific “shopping” without using the checkout. Among the stolen items were a mobile phone, women’s underwear, tops, thongs, bikinis and even a pet leash.

According to the verdict, the man first unlawfully took someone else’s mobile phone worth 11,989 hryvnias. After that, as stated in the case, he disposed of it as he saw fit. The court separately considered another 18 incidents of shop theft. From the shelves disappeared women’s panties, bikinis, thongs, tops and other items. The total amount of damages for these incidents amounted to 3,235 hryvnias. The defendant could not explain his passion for women’s underwear, although he admitted his guilt.

The court also took into account that the man was no stranger to criminal cases. He had been convicted several times before, including for theft and fraud, and the first proceedings against him were opened as early as 2003.

The defendant’s actions were qualified under Part 4 of Article 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – theft committed under martial law. For this episode the court sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment. However, the final term turned out to be longer. Taking into account the rules for composing punishments, the court imposed on the man a total of seven years and three months’ imprisonment. He must also pay a 17,000 hryvnias fine.

The verdict can still be appealed. But the moral of the story is already quite clear: if you really want to “refresh your wardrobe,” it’s better to start at the checkout, not with the Criminal Code.

Previously we reported:

• A recidivist stole a brushcutter at a gas station in Mykolaiv – the court sentenced the offender to more than seven years in prison
• Stole a demolition hammer – sentenced to about five years: Korabelnyi tried a persistent recidivist
• In Mykolaiv, a 53-year-old took a phone from a table and did not object to pre-trial detention
• In Mykolaiv, a recidivist was convicted for thefts in beauty salons, cafes and a flower shop
• Stole from garages and shops: Korabelnyi tried a recidivist