Serial car thief mum sent to jail

A SOBBING, red-faced plea for mercy forced the Beenleigh Magistrate to stop midsentence during the hearing of a young Toowoomba mum.

Thea Jayce Eversteyn Firmin, 21, had pleaded guilty to committing eight offences, including stealing cars, while on parole.

The court this week heard Eversteyn Firmin amassed a five page criminal history in her short time as a legal adult, racking up multiple charges of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.

In the past, she’d copped fines, probation, community service, suspended sentences and actual imprisonment, according to the police prosecutor.

“Nothing has seemed to deter her,” the prosecutor told the court.

“She has blown all of her chances.”

While serving a period of parole and a suspended sentence, Eversteyn Firmin was involved in the theft of two cars taken from a surf club.

Police later found her in possession of one of the cars at a home in Woodridge.

She was further implicated in four stealing offences which took place in March and October, 2020, when she stole $456 worth of stock from Chemist Warehouse, $175 worth of stock from Woolworths at Sunnybank Hills and $140 from Myer.

Lawyer Jason Voight from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service told the court his client was a mother of four children who regularly used methamphetamines.

Eversteyn Firmin began to cry as Mr Voight read her antecedence, and completely lost control when Magistrate Clare Kelly began sentencing, stamping her feet and clutching her head.

“No, no,” Eversteyn Firmin said.

“Please don’t do it, I don’t want to go back to jail!”

Her sobs became so loud and harrowing Magistrate Kelly could no longer be heard over the commotion, and was forced to pause.

Police officers arrived with handcuffs.

Eversteyn Firmin eventually received a head sentence of 12 months with immediate parole eligibility.

Due to delays at the parole office, it could be months before she is released.

As the police arrested Eversteyn Firmin she turned to her boyfriend, who was sitting in the public gallery and rubbing tears from his eyes.

“Just let me give him one last hug, please,” she said. “Please, please, please. “I love him.”

The officers allowed the couple one last embrace before taking Eversteyn Firmin to the watch house.