Judge gives shoplifting model a 'more lenient' sentence due to her 'considerable talents'

A Polish model who admitted trying to steal a designer haul worth $1586 from Harrods has been given a "more lenient" sentence because of her "considerable talents".

Twenty-eight-year-old Natalia Sikorska, who's currently studying business management at a London university, has worked for luxury brands and lives in the elite borough of Chelsea, was stopped by security as she tried to leave the exclusive department store last month.

She was attempting to make off with a Markus Lupfer jacket, a pair of Claudie Pierlot shoes, a Pinko handbag and a silver knife worth £959 ($1586).

Sikorska quickly admitted her attempted crime to police and store detectives, and — in summing up yesterday — Westminster Magistrate Grant McCrostie said he had taken her admission in to account, along with her "considerable talents".

"You are a newcomer to this country, you are a student with a place at university", he said.

"You are obviously a woman of considerable talents, you are obviously intelligent."

Sikorska was handed a 12-month conditional discharge, and told she will not face any further action if her good behaviour continues.

"Taking goods from any store, including Harrods is wrong", he added.

"Your future has been put at risk by these actions."

"Because of the fact that you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and you do have a potentially bright future, we will deal with this more leniently than we should have."

She was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Sikorska said "Thank you so much" to the magistrate as her sentence was read out.

A keen Instagrammer, the part-time model often shares pictures of her travels and shoots.