Stacie-Anne Rouse pleads guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to fraud, stealing and driving unlicensed

A Chinchilla woman who sobbed loudly in court after stealing almost $5000 from a victim said she was stressed at the time of her offending.

A Chinchilla mother-of-five who stole almost $5000 wailed loudly in court when she faced the consequences of her actions.

Stacie-Anne Rouse, 39, pleaded guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to six counts of fraud, two counts of stealing and one count of unlicensed driving.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said Rouse committed the fraud and stealing offences over a one month period between May and June last year, where she stole two Mastercards and used one of them to pay off numerous Centrelink debts.

It was when Centrelink suspected fraudulent payments and reversed the funds that she was undone, the court was told.

Further, the truck driver was caught driving with a demerit point disqualified licence in August 2022 when police intercepted her at the Chinchilla KFC.

Sergeant Hutchins said a total of $4779.40 was stolen from one of the cards and used to pay $1246.60 to Centrelink, $489.54 to the Western Downs Regional Council and $57.78 to Dominos Pizza.

“Centrelink reversed the money back to Latitude after they were alerted it was fraudulent, so she now owes Centrelink the money,” he said.

“$489.54 and $57.78 is still owed to Latitude. One was for, I’m assuming, council rates and the second one was for Dominos.”

Mr Hutchins said Rouse has been put on probation and received suspended sentences before for similar offending, as well as two prior unlicensed driving entries.

“Unfortunately for her with her history, this isn’t a one-off, it seems to be the case that throughout her history she has lots of dishonesty offences whether it would be stealing as a clerk.

“I submit the horse has probably bolted on probation.

“I submit she’s realistically looking at a period of imprisonment - $5000 is not a small amount.”

Defence lawyer Julia Molloy said her client, who is the sole provider of five children, acted out of desperation and was “very stressed for money”.

“The crime itself was opportunistic and unsophisticated, it wasn’t premeditated,” she said.

“Her husband had a second stroke and is now suffering a neurological condition.”

Ms Molloy said jail time would punish her children.

Magistrate Kyna Morice said she was frustrated by defendants blaming the courts for tearing families apart.

“If I send her to jail today, it’s because of her actions and her family will be torn apart because of her actions,” magistrate Morice said.

“I accept it was opportunistic and you were always going to be identified - you made payments for example to Centrelink under your own details, it was very unsophisticated offending.

“I find it difficult to understand how with all of those challenges in your life, that were present when you were previously before the court, that you did not consider the danger you would be placing yourself and your family in.

“I’m astonished that you’re back before the court today and you’ve absolutely exposed yourself to a term of imprisonment.

“But I take into account the many challenges in your life and the need for some support and supervision in your life, I consider a period of parole is the most appropriate sentence for you.”

Rouse was handed an eight month prison sentence to be served under a community parole order for the fraud and stealing offences, and given a six month driving disqualification for the unlicensed driving offence.

All convictions were recorded.