Jessica Morley: Carer snatched cash from 76yo woman after crash in stolen car

A Gold Coast carer and cleaner took hundreds of dollars in cash from an elderly woman after colliding with her car in a stolen vehicle. Find out why she did it.

Jessics Lee Morley leaving the Southport courthouse. Picture: Jessica Paul

A Gold Coast carer and cleaner took hundreds of dollars in cash from an elderly woman after colliding with her car in a stolen vehicle.

Southport Magistrates Court was told Jessica Lee Morley snatched two $100 notes from the 76-year-old woman’s handbag after their vehicles collided on February 1.

Morley claimed the elderly woman owed her $2000 to cover repairs to her car – stolen by unknown offenders days earlier – but eventually agreed to $200 in cash.

An argument broke out after Morley changed the wording on a piece of paper confirming the exchange, with the 25-year-old struggling against the woman to grab the cash.

The court was told Morley was also found with a capped syringe filled with a clear liquid believed to be methylamphetamines.

The brazen theft came only months after Morley was involved in a violent altercation at Nerang’s Hinterland Hotel.

It was heard the targeted person was already injured on the ground by the time Morley threw herself into the fray at the Nerang pub, kicking the victim in the head and stomping on him before leaving.

Defence lawyer Jacinta Raven, of TWC Lawyers, said the Molendinar woman was in a domestically violent relationship and using drugs at the time. She told the court there was no further offending since Morley cut ties with her ex-partner and got clean.

Ms Raven said her client had started up her own cleaning business and volunteered with a homelessness organisation on top of being a full-time carer for her mother.

“Ms Morley is someone who does need help – she’s very enthusiastic to take on the opportunities probation would offer her,” she said.

Magistrate Jane Bentley told Morley her offending was “serious and concerning”, and may have warranted a jail sentence if not for her rehabilitation efforts and minimal criminal history.

Morley pleaded guilty to one count each of committing a public nuisance offence within licensed premises, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing from the person, and possessing dangerous drugs.

She was placed on probation for 15 months and ordered to pay $50 in restitution.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Jessica Morley: Carer snatched cash from 76yo woman after crash in stolen car