Thief loaded up on meth expecting jail time

PENSIONER Paula Maree Gillespie said she feared a likely jail sentence after pleading guilty to stealing and fraud on February 14, so instead of coming to court sober she said she consumed amphetamines.

Gillespie avoided actual imprisonment on the day, but the drug was still in her system when she was intercepted for a roadside test two days later.

She returned to the Toowoomba Magistrates Court yesterday to plead guilty to a drug driving charge, along with a fresh stealing charge.

Police prosecutor Leea Trewin said Gillespie returned a pool, valued at $79, to the Clifford Gardens Big W on November 18, 2019 and claimed a refund.

“She has gone to the pool section (in Big W) and the same make and model of pool has been placed in her trolley,” Snr Const Trewin said.

The court heard Gillespie left the store without paying for the pool.

When staff questioned Gillespie, she claimed she purchased it earlier and denied obtaining a refund.

“CCTV footage captured the offence occurring,” Snr Const Trewin said.

Gillespie was charged with stealing on March 8, 2020, after she received a short jail sentence with immediate parole, on February 14, for a separate stealing offence.

Magistrate Kaye Ryan noted that if the two stealing matters were dealt with at the same time than Gillespie would not have received additional jail time.

Gillespie was convicted and not further punished for the stealing the pool.

For the drugged driving charge, she was fined $500 and disqualified for holding a licence for four months with both convictions recorded.