Gun rap for new mother
A PREGNANT woman busted trying to steal baby clothes from a Townsville store was later found with a sawn-off shotgun.
Markaya Jay Barsley Amory pleaded guilty to five offences, including possessing a firearm and stealing from Myer at Stockland Shopping Centre.
Barsley pleaded guilty to all charges when she faced Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday and was fined $1050.
The court heard she and a man entered the Myer store while pushing a shopping trolley on January 4.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Todd said witnesses reported seeing a pregnant woman pushing a trolley with a dog’s bed inside. She said Barsley hid baby clothes and a man’s shirt inside the dog bed before heading for an exit.
The court heard staff noticed suspicious behaviour and Barsley was stopped at the exit but her male associate fled. Barsley returned the clothing before also leaving.
The pair returned to the store several weeks later and police were called.
Barsley was identified CCTV footage. by
On January 23, police raided a property in Vincent and located Barsley. A search of the living room uncovered a bag that Barsley said contained a shotgun and ammunition.
Police inspected the property and found the sawn-off shotgun and four rounds of ammunition.
“She said she was holding it for a friend who had given it to her the previous night,” the prosecutor said.
The court heard she had also stolen drinks from a service station in a separate incident.
Defence lawyer Zoe Navarro said Barsley had been through a lot in her life, including witnessing her father being stabbed to death.
Barsley’s four-month-old child was present in court. Ms Navarro said the father was incarcerated and her 21-year-old client had no intention of resuming their relationship.
Magistrate Suzie Warrington said she took into account Barsley’s early pleas of guilty and accepted she had experienced tragedy in her life.
Ms Warrington said the most serious offence was the possession of the shotgun, which carried the heaviest fine of $600. Lesser fines were imposed for the other offences.