Fuel thief gifted a $750 fine

CLAIRE Dorothy Anouska Baxt got the birthday present she did not really want in the form of a $750 fine.

Baxt was facing Southport Magistrates Court yesterday for a spate of fuel drive-offs across the Gold Coast between May and July last year.

Baxt yesterday, on her 27th birthday, pleaded guilty to five counts of stealing and two counts of contravening a police direction.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nicole Jackson said the five incidents all occurred between May 13 and July 4 at different service stations in Southport, Robina, Mudgeeraba and Burleigh Heads.

On each occasion Baxt was driving a Holden Commodore and left the service station without making any attempt to pay. In total she stole more than $120 of fuel.

Defence lawyer Lani Olafsson said at the time of the offences Baxt was homeless, living in the car and did not have the money to pay for fuel.

“She is more than willing to pay restitution,” she said.

Baxt now works part-time at a cafe at Griffith University and is starting a course at TAFE dealing with family intervention next month.

Magistrate Mark Howden fined Baxt $750 and no conviction was recorded.