Simone Trench granted bail, charged with theft and unlicensed driving

A woman who was driving a stolen vehicle with stolen registration plates says she did not steal the car or plates.

Simone Trench. Picture: Facebook

A Whittington mother charged with theft and unlicensed driving has denied stealing a motor vehicle that went missing in August.

Simone Trench, 32, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday for a bail application.

Police prosecutor First Constable Alex Turner said on August 5, between 12am and 12pm, a black Holden sedan parked at the Geelong University hospital was stolen.

In a separate incident, between 3pm and 1.50am on September 10, Constable Turner told the court two Victorian registration plates were stolen from a vehicle parked at the North Shore railway station car park.

Mr Turner said the stolen vehicle bearing the stolen registration plates was observed by a police officer just after 3pm that same day but the driver’s ID could not be confirmed.

On Friday, September 15 about 5.20pm, Ms Trench was seen by police driving the black sedan on the Princes Highway in Norlane.

The court was told Trench was stopped for a licence check and officers discovered the vehicle had been stolen.

Constable Turner said the checks also revealed Ms Trench was unlicensed after being disqualified.

“Asked if there was anything in the car, the applicant said she had a used syringe in left hand pocket and removed the item without incident,” Constable Turner said.

“Further she was asked if she had anything on her person, she said cannabis, and produced a clear plastic bag,” he said.

The court heard an oral fluid analysis confirmed the presence of cannabis and ice in Ms Trench’s system.

Constable Turner also told the court Ms Trench denied stealing the vehicle and stealing the registration plates.

Magistrate John Bentley granted Ms Trench bail, and she will come back before the courts on October 13.

Originally published as Simone Trench granted bail, charged with theft and unlicensed driving