Two teenage girls from Ealing were hauled into court last week for shoplifting at Harrods.
Sarah Jamar and Nuha Al-Sahli, both 18 year-old students who live with their parents, removed security tags from the luxury goods and stuffed them into their bags, Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court was told.
When they were stopped by security they were carrying £725 Victoria Beckham sunglasses, £235 Dior sunglasses, a Harrods fur coat worth more than £1,500, and a handbag.
The girls admitted the theft, totalling £5,188, and were sentenced to community orders.
Defence barrister Frances Goodman said the girls thought it was just a "childish prank".
She said: “Both girls have in common the fact that they are both students and they live with parents.
“What they might have thought was a childish prank has been brought back to them and they have been left in no doubt that if they continue with this behaviour they will be in even more trouble.
“Miss Jamar is so ashamed that she hasn’t told her mother. She is 18 now, they have got to learn and got to think before they act.”
The girls were spotted stealing at the prestigious store, in Knightsbridge, shortly after 7.40pm on May 30.
Prosecutor David Doolan said: "The defendants came to the attention of security in Harrods because there were two sunglasses missing from the display. They were seen removing the tags and passing the items between themselves."
The Victoria Beckham sunglasses were said to be damaged by the removal of security tags, and were not fit for resale.
Jamar, of Webb Place, Ealing, wept in court as Judge Laura Robarts sentenced her to 100 hours of unpaid work and Al-Sahli, of Carlisle Avenue, Ealing, to 80 hours unpaid work.
Judge Robarts said: “This offence is serious enough for a community order because of the high cost of the goods.
“Miss Al-Sahli because you were technically a youth at the time of the offence we are going to order you do 80 hours unpaid work. We are not ordering compensation because we have not been given any claim from Harrods.”
Jamar has a separate conviction for shoplifting and Al-Sahli has accepted a police caution after shoplifting more than £500 worth of cosmetics from Debenhams at Westfield shopping centre on June 19.
Both girls must each pay £85 prosecution costs, a £60 victim surcharge, and a £180 criminal court charge.
