Amber Snelson, 27, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court this week when she pleaded guilty to unlawful assault, theft, theft of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, and contravening bail.

The court heard about 6.30pm on April 22 this year, Snelson was captured on CCTV footage at a Kennington supermarket.

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A security guard saw Snelson go to the cosmetics section where she placed a number of items into her bag and attempted to leave the store without paying.

The court heard the security guard asked her twice to show a receipt for the items. She refused and threatened to slap the guard in the face.

Snelson left the store and the guard followed her. He saw her get into her car and drive towards Bendigo.

The court heard then on the afternoon of June 22 this year, Snelson went to the Bendigo Marketplace and entered a store.

Another woman was in the store and trying on clothes in a change room. The woman had left her car keys in her jacket pocket, which she had hanging in the dressing room.

The woman left the change room to collect other items of clothing.

The court heard Snelson entered the change room the woman had just vacated and stole the car keys from the jacket. Snelson and the other woman left the store a short time later.

The victim realised about 10 minutes later that her car keys were missing. She returned to the store and staff realised Snelson had used the same change room.

The woman left her car at the Bendigo Marketplace as she didn't have a spare key.

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At 10.38pm that day, Snelson was captured on CCTV footage returning to the car park and unlocking the woman's car with a remote control key.

Snelson then got inside the vehicle and drove away. She has never held a drivers licence.

Police arrested and interviewed Snelson on July 17 this year. The court heard she made full admissions about the car theft in the interview, but would not provide details about the location of the car.

Defence lawyer Robert Morgan told the court Snelson was under the influence of drugs at the time of the offending.

Mr Morgan said Snelson knew the car theft victim had been significantly inconvenienced because of her actions.

He said Snelson was in possession of the stolen car for about three days before giving it to an associate. Mr Morgan said she no longer knew where the car was.

The defence lawyer said Snelson had made full admissions to police and had entered a guilty plea at an early stage.

Prosecutor First Constable Matthew Hendry said Snelson only made the admissions after she was "caught red-handed".

He said her concern for the victim was undermined by her inability to tell the police where the car was.

Magistrate Rodney Higgins said he was also concerned about the missing car.

"I'm not happy you haven't told police where the car is," he said. "The poor lady obviously suffered because of your actions."

Mr Higgins convicted and sentenced Snelson to 68 days in jail. She had been in custody for 68 days, which was reckoned as already served.

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