Janelle Sylvia Washbrook pleaded guilty to stealing, drug offences

A foul act at a sacred site is just one of a string of crimes committed by a Queensland woman found to be “morally culpable” for her actions despite her troubles.

Janelle Washbrook stole groceries from Woolworths in Maryborough before peeing on a nearby war memorial.

A drug raid, stealing groceries from Woolworths and urinating on a Maryborough war memorial landed a woman before court this week.

Janelle Sylvia Washbrook, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing drug utensils, contravening a direction, stealing shop goods, urinating in a public place and several counts of failing to appear in court.

The court heard on January 19, 2023, police had attended an address in Tinana.

They observed a person sitting on the toilet in possession of a needle and syringe about to inject dangerous drugs, the court was told.

A search was carried out at the home, with metal pipes located.

Multiple clipseal bags containing white residue were also found at the home along with 0.88 grams of GLM, two needles and a syringe containing clear white liquid.

In a separate incident, Washbrook attended Woolworths in Maryborough on July 13, 2023.

She stole groceries to the value of $74.65 and left the store without making any payment.

Police later located Washbrook urinating on the nearby war memorial, the court was told.

Washbrook, appearing via videolink from the watch-house, then interrupted proceedings, causing Magistrate John Milburn to adjourn the court briefly.

Maryborough War Memorial.

In regard to the contravention of a direction, the court heard Washbrook had failed to attend a police station to provide her identifying particulars within the time period required.

When spoken to by police, she said she had been in the mental health ward and had become homeless.

Washbrook had also failed to attend court on a number of occasions, the court was told.

The court heard Washbrook had been homeless since April 2023 and her offending had been a result of that as well as drug use and mental health issues.

Washbrook had been diagnosed with a schizoaffective disorder, was being treated with medication and had a mental health case manager who had visited while she was in custody.

Washbrook had also been diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

She had spent a period of 10 days in custody, the court was told, and accommodation would be available if she was released from custody.

Mr Milburn said Washbrook had been apprehended in January 2023 in relation to the drug related matters.

“There’s nothing particularly remarkable about the quantities involved,” he said, adding that on four separate occasions, Washbrook had failed to appear before the court.

“I regard your offending as significant, particularly given the length of time over which these matters were perpetrated,” he said.

Mr Milburn said he accepted Washbrook was subject to assistance through the mental health unit, but there was no material before him regarding the nature or severity of her conditions and he found she was morally culpable for the offending behaviour.

Washbrook was placed on probation for 10 months.

Convictions were recorded.

A separate charge of supplying dangerous drugs was adjourned and Washbrook was allowed bail.

That case was adjourned until January 23.

MORE LOCAL NEWS: 

Watch: Plan for ‘short stay’ mega park with 100+ cabins revealed

Women suffer suspected spinal injuries after crash into ditch