Woman guilty of stealing mute man’s vehicle

A TOWNSVILLE woman stole a mute man’s car while he was holidaying in the city, a court has heard.

Kayla Cheree Maxfield stole the victim’s car from the Palm Waters Holiday Apartments in North Ward on December 4, 2017.

The man, who was visiting Townsville, cannot speak and was without his vehicle for almost three months.

Maxfield, who was sentenced in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, failing to stop and disqualified driving.

Police prosecutor Kellie Mythen said Maxfield was arrested after police matched her fingerprints to the vehicle which was located on March 26. Magistrate Cathy Wadley said the car was extensively damaged and altered.

“It had been spray painted,” Mrs Wadley said.

“I am told the value of the vehicle was $ 10,000 – a significant loss to the owner.”

Maxfield also pleaded guilty to trespassing on a railway and two counts of unlawfully entering farmland.

The court heard the 23- year- old woman was part of a group who was driving a car on railway tracks, ditched the car on the rail line and ran from the scene through neighbouring rural properties.

“I’m told gates were left open and am told there was a potential for cattle and goats to leave the properties,” Mrs Wadley said. “I accept you weren’t on your own but am not told who you were with.”

Maxfield also pleaded guilty to failing to dispose of a syringe, possessing property suspected to have been used in connection with a drug offence ( digital scales) and unlawfully possessing explosives, namely a firework.

The court heard Maxfield committed the offending while on parole after being sentenced to a term of imprisonment in April 2017 for armed robbery.

Maxfield had 69 days of declarable time in custody before being sentenced to nine months imprisonment and granted an immediate parole eligibility date. She was further fined a total of $ 400 and her driver’s licence was disqualified for two years.