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Intent to Permanently Deprive

Life is rough for Shirl Hennessey. Her son, Steve, is dead, shot by police. Her other son, Mal, is facing a possible life sentence for murder. She is left at home with her daughter, Rhonda, daughter-in-law Kirsty, and their noisy children.

However, when she is arrested for shoplifting and possession of a lighter-pistol, Shirl sees a chance to get the break she needs — a short stint in jail away from life's pressures.

Michael Kidd wants to fight the charges tooth-and-nail to keep Shirl out of prison, and Magistrate Glenda de Bono doesn't want to put a woman her age behind bars, but Shirl is determined and a leading barrister and a top magistrate are no match for an old crook like Shirl.

Meanwhile, Vic Manoulis has to keep his emotions in check when he prosecutes a child abuse case in which a young boy was killed by his stepfather.