New fraud conviction for mother
GUILTY OF FLIGHT DECEIT, DRUG OFFENCES
A TOWNSVILLE mother convicted of using donations for her son’s funeral to buy drugs has once again been convicted on fraud charges.
Lesley-lee Hill, whose son Lucius Hure-hill was one of four children killed when a stolen car crashed in Garbutt, pleaded guilty to nine charges in total in the Townsville Magistrates Court.
Hill was in court charged with multiple offences, including four relating to an incident in which she used her twin sister’s identification to book and take a flight in November 2021.
She will be released on parole later this month.
A TOWNSVILLE mother convicted of using donations for her son’s funeral to buy drugs has once again been convicted of fraud charges.
Lesley-lee Hill, 30, pleaded guilty to nine charges in total in the Townsville Magistrates Court via video link with Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre.
Hill’s son Lucius Hure-hill was one of four children killed when a stolen car crashed into a traffic light.
Four of the charges – fraud – dishonestly gaining benefit or advantage, obtaining or dealing with another entity’s identification information, and false identification information – constitutional flight offence – related to an incident in November last year in which Hill used her twin sister’s identification to book and take a flight.
The remaining charges related to possession of drug paraphernalia and the operation of a motor vehicle while unsupervised after Hill was charged on February 24 this year.
Hill was in possession of a pipe, hypodermic syringe, clipseal bags and spoon, and a knife on Fulham Rd, Pimlico, in addition to driving unsupervised while using a learner license.
Police prosecutor Kelsey Read described a history of previous fraudulent behaviour that required “a degree of planning”, including an attempt by Hill to submit forged documents to Centrelink in order to secure payments as her child’s primary caregiver, despite the boy being under the care of her mother.
Hill’s defence lawyer Phil Rennick said his client had “done quite well” in managing her drug addiction and had completed both a drug rehabilitation and parenting course, as well as a domestic violence awareness course.
“She has been subjected to domestic violence over a number of years – 10 years by the father of her children – and on occasion she has been hospitalised by the violence with a broken jaw, three ribs,” Mr Rennick said. “Her last partner subjected her to domestic violence as well.
“To say Ms Hill has had a tumultuous life would be the greatest understatement.”
Magistrate Scott Luxton described Hill’s actions as “serious offences of dishonesty” before sentencing her to three months’ imprisonment with convictions recorded for all offences.
“What is also relevant is you were subject to a suspended sentence imposed in this court in April of 2021,” he said.
“Two orders of suspended imprisonment were made on that date and both were for offences of dishonesty.”
Hill had already served 71 days of her sentence and she will be released on parole on May 23.