Beggar made off with $300

AFTER hitting hard times, Krystal Heather Elizabeth Smyth hit the streets in search of a few dollars.

However, she hit the jackpot when a Chinese exchange student offered to hand over $300 to help Smyth’s “sick kids”.

The city’s Magistrates Court heard how the mum-of-two went begging on the streets of St Lucia, Brisbane last year.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Julia Wheaton told the court the student, whose English was poor, agreed to hand over the $300 she had in her wallet for rent if Smyth put her contact number in her phone.

The court then heard the woman asked for the money back, and the Gold Coast native Smyth declined to do so before making off with the cash.

Originally charged with robbery before it was altered to begging in a public place yesterday Smyth, who pleaded guilty, became visibly emotional when told the maximum penalty was six months in jail.

“Yes, take a deep breath it (the maximum penalty) is jail, Ms Smyth,” Magistrate Brian Kucks said.

Magistrate Kucks ordered Smyth pay $300 restitution and serve 12 months on probation.