Mum plays Saint Nick

Sackfuls of gifts stolen

A GOLD Coast mum bolted from court after being sentenced for taking thousands of dollars of goods from Harbour Town in a Christmas gift stealing spree.

Melanie Nicola McKee took off out the doors of Southport Courthouse, tearing past waiting media, after she was placed on probation for seven counts of stealing.

McKee, 33, had been heavily pregnant and already on probation on December 2 last year, the magistrates court was told yesterday.

Police spotted her “driving suspiciously” in the car park of the Biggera Waters shopping centre and intercepted her car.

Prosecutor Chris Freeman said police seized nearly $3800 worth of stolen property.

“Three pairs of shoes costing $460 from Nike Harbour Town. Two handbags from Mimco, $558. One pair of Calvin Klein shorts (and) two bum bags, total value of $249. Three handbags, the victim being Strandbags, it was $254. Three bedsheets from Sheridan, $1252...,” he said.

McKee made “full admissions” about “stealing the property”. The New Zealand migrant’s criminal history included dishonesty offences.

Defence lawyer Jac Thong said McKee, a reformed heroin addict, lost her job and had been driven by “significant financial pressures”.

He said she had been getting “Christmas presents to provide to her family”.

Magistrate Mark Howden said McKee stole “quite a large amount”, but the community and McKee would be best served with a probation order.

McKee was placed on another term of probation for one year.