Mum faces court after pregnancy

A WOMAN who stayed “underground” while she was pregnant handed herself into police in relation to drug and property offences once she gave birth.

Faith Alkira Huxley pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of fraud and eight other offences when she faced Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday.

The 24- year- old’ s criminal activity took place in 2015 and 2016. Magistrate Cathy Wadley heard Huxley had been associated with the wrong crowd, had a difficult personal life and was a drug user during her offending.

Huxley was with others during each instance of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and Mrs Wadley said she accepted the 24- year- old did not steal the car on either occasion.

Fingerprints lifted off one of the cars linked Huxley to the vehicle.

The fraud offences related to the unlawful use of someone else’s credit card to purchase food, including more than $ 150 worth of McDonalds; Mrs Wadley again accepted Huxley was in company and did not steal the card.

The court heard Huxley received a caravan that had been stolen and had failed to appear in court on several occasions.

Mrs Wadley heard Huxley had gone “underground and laid low” to avoid contact with a former partner and stayed under the radar while pregnant because she knew she was at risk of being sent to jail.

Huxley handed herself in after the birth of her child.

“I accept your pleas of guilty. They are not timely but you did hand yourself in,” Mrs Wadley said.

“It appears you now have stability in your life … you have a young child.

“The offending is serious and you have heard the punishments imposed on your co- offenders.”

Mrs Wadley took into account Huxley’s limited criminal history and signs of rehabilitation when placing her on a nine- month probation order.