Drug debt leads to theft

$10K in equipment stolen from major retailer

A Gold Coast woman has claimed it was fear and desperation to pay back a drug debt that drove her to help steal equipment worth close to $10,000 from a major retailer, a court was told.

Southport Magistrates Court was told Skye Bonnie Lawrence, 24, and a male associate first targeted JB Hi-fi at Arundel on April 4 last year.

The man allegedly unplugged a displayed Pioneer DJ turntable worth $3499 and shielded Lawrence from view as she placed it inside a shopping bag.

The pair consented to their personal bags being searched but refused to have the bag with the stolen item inspected, leading to a confrontation and hasty exit from the shop, the court was told.

Police prosecutor Mary Witham said Lawrence and her alleged accomplice then struck at the JB Hi-fi store in Harbour Town Outlet Shopping Centre on April 13 and May 15, making off with another turntable and soundmixer worth a combined $6086.

She said Lawrence and her partner used an empty suitcase to smuggle out the stolen goods on the second and third occasions.

Lawrence was not arrested in relation to the thefts until more than a year later, telling police it was all “spur of the moment” and that she had no means of paying the money owed.

The court was told her accomplice had also since been charged, but his matters were yet to be finalised.

Lawrence was nabbed again by police in Southport on August 24, where she was busted with about 3g of marijuana in addition to three syringes and a spoon.

The Coast woman started using ‘crack’ and heroin in the past several years to cope with homelessness and violent relationships, the court was told.

Lawrence was aiming to finish her chef’s apprenticeship and focus on her rehabilitation following the court proceedings.

Magistrate Mark Bamberry acknowledged that Lawrence’s offending was likely driven by her desperation to repay drug debts and mental health issues, and said any sentence should aid her rehabilitation.

Lawrence pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one of possessing drug utensils.

She was ordered to complete 50 hours’ unpaid community service and repay half the $9585 restitution.

No conviction was recorded.