A WOMAN who stole a Rolex watch worth £14k admitted she did it out of greed.

Brsenedeca Lacatus entered Jewellery Cube at Argyll Arcade in Glasgow city centre on May 7 last year.

The 41-year-old asked a staff member if she could see a number of watches that were locked inside a front window display.

The employee showed her the watches but locked the display window prior to doing so.

Lacatus, of Govanhill, then asked to see another watch from display.

The worker thought it was best to put the watches she already had out back, but when doing so, noticed Lacatus in close proximity to the window containing the watches.

She was asked to move over to the main entrance area and she did so.

The worker noticed a Rolex missing before spotting a bulge in Lacatus’ jacket pocket.

She was asked to empty her pockets, but instead, she quickly exited the store.

Security staff were called.

During a short scuffle and efforts to detain her, a child she was with took her jacket and ran away.

Police were contacted and were made aware of the child further along Argyle Street.

Officers attended and saw the youngster still in possession of the jacket, which had the luxury watch within.

CCTV was viewed which showed Lacatus reaching into the window display and taking the watch from its box.

She was cautioned and charged and made no reply.

Lacatus appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing this week.

Her lawyer said: “She entered a guilty plea after seeing the footage.

“She’s on three orders. She has responded positively to the supervision and guidance she’s been receiving. She’s carried out a large proportion of unpaid work.

“She recognises there should be further punishment. She admitted that her actions were prompted by greed.

“The recommendation is to defer sentence to monitor her progress.”

Sheriff Simone Sweeney told Lacatus: “I recognise that you have engaged so far with the orders in place and there has been no further offending by you since May 2023.

“I will defer sentence for six months to allow you to demonstrate you can be of good behaviour.

“If you fail to do that, all sentencing options will remain available to the court when you appear again.”

Lacatus will return to court in October.