Kleptomaniac Jorgia Rook in Cairns Central Shopping Centre shoplifting spree

A self-confessed ‘kleptomaniac’ wept in court as she was sentenced for shoplifting thousands of dollars’ worth of retail goods from a major North Queensland shopping mall.

A self-confessed “kleptomaniac” wept in court as she was sentenced for shoplifting thousands of dollars’ worth of retail goods from a major North Queensland shopping mall.

Jorgia Morgan Rook, 30, from Hinchinbrook Shire, appeared for sentence in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday after earlier pleading guilty to 10 charges of stealing $3000 worth of goods from a number of businesses in the Cairns Central Shopping Centre during a shoplifting spree last year.

The Lucinda woman also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of suspected stolen property as well as an additional charge of stealing a home-made ring from a stallholder at the Forrest Beach Markets, also last year.

Jorgia Morgan Rook, 30, from Hinchinbrook Shire, appeared for sentence in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday after earlier pleading guilty to 10 charges of stealing $3000 worth of goods from a number of businesses in the Cairns Central Shopping Centre during a shoplifting spree last year. The Lucinda woman also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of suspected stolen property as well as an additional charge of stealing a home-made ring from a stallholder at the Forrest Beach Markets, also last year. Picture: Cameron Bates

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said the offending was aggravated by the fact that Rook was already on probation for shoplifting at the time of the fresh offences and had a criminal history spanning three pages, including 11 previous convictions for stealing.

He said the defendant stole an eclectic mix of retail items from numerous retail businesses in the shopping centre, including fashion clothing, handbags, candles and jewellery.

Mr Theed said Rook also targeted goods from charities Lifeline and UnitingCare.

He said that when Rook was eventually caught, she told police she was a kleptomaniac but refused to participate in a formal interview.

It was when the prosecutor described the offending as serious and recommended a prison sentence of six to nine months, even if wholly suspended, that Rook began to sob uncontrollably.

“Given the persistent nature of the defendant’s conduct, imprisonment is the only appropriate penalty available to Your Honour today.”

No restitution for the recovered goods was sought.

Jorgia Rook, 30, from Lucinda. Picture: Cameron Bates

Defence lawyer Margaret Crowther said her client suffered a number of deep-seated mental health issues that encompassed post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, an eating disorder, a history of drug abuse and personal tragedy.

“We are talking about a person who has significant mental-health concerns and it is my respectful submission that there is a nexus between her mental health that she suffers and the stealing offences before the court.”

She said Rook had not re-offended in the nine months since the last stealing charge and was undergoing intensive counselling and on medication for her mental-health issues.

Ms Crowther urged a further sentence of probation “to allow her to continue her rehabilitation” toward again becoming a productive member of society.

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Magistrate Scott Luxton ultimately agreed with Ms Crowther’s recommendation but expressed his displeasure with the crimes.

“The court always views this type of offending seriously because of the blatant lack of regard for the property of others and obviously this type of activity is the bane of small businesses or retail outlets.”

Rook was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and ordered to undergo psychological treatment as ordered and submit to urine testing to monitor potential drug use.

Magistrate Luxton warned the defendant to remain crime free during probation or suffer the consequences.

Originally published as Kleptomaniac Jorgia Rook in Cairns Central Shopping Centre shoplifting spree