Ryder avoids jail over theft conviction

The actor Winona Ryder was sentenced to 36 months probation for shoplifting today.

As expected, Ryder was not given a custodial sentence for stealing over $6,000 worth of goods from a Beverley Hills department store last year. She was, however, directed to perform 480 hours of community service and to undergo drug and psychological counselling.

In addition, she was ordered to pay Saks Fifth Avenue $6,355 for the items found upon her person when she was arrested, and to pay further fines of $2,700 to the court.

The judge criticised Ryder for "failing, or more properly, refusing to take responsibility for her actions" and stressed that "contriteness" was a fundamental part of the probationary process.

Ryder was given permission to leave California for purposes of employment, but the judge imposed several restrictions on her aimed at curbing her drug use, specifically that she "stay away from places where buyers and sellers of narcotics were known to congregate."

Ryder appeared saddened and disbelieving during the prosecution's summing up, at one point rising to her feet in anger. She listened to the details of her sentence for the most part attentively.

She has 60 days to appeal the sentence.