Lauren Michelle Thomas pleads guilty to stealing in Bundaberg Magistrates Court

Stealing a Covid-19 check-in poster from a Bundaberg laundromat has landed a mother of two in court where she was unable to explain her bizarre behaviour.

A 46-year-old mother of two couldn’t explain why she went into a Walkervale laundromat and cleaned out the business’ posters including a Covid-19 check-in sign.

Lauren Michelle Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of stealing in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Monday.

Magistrate Andrew Moloney noted that while there was no personal value for Thomas in the stealing, the check-in system was set up as a public health measure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and there was a risk to the community in general.

He said it was fortunate no-one's health had been disadvantaged by the poster’s theft.

The court heard Thomas, who was caught out when CCTV was reviewed and showed her removing posters from the walls, had little memory of the incident.

Police issued Thomas with a notice to appear in court shortly after she was seen on camera.

Thomas pleaded guilty to stealing and was fined $300, referred to SPER with no conviction recorded.