Racheal Anne Schafer, 30, pleaded guilty on Friday to seven charges in Gladstone Magistrates Court
A woman who stole from two flagship stores at Gladstone’s Kin Kora shopping centre was spared jail on Friday. Read about her offending here.
Police & Courts
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A Gladstone woman sobbed after a Magistrate handed her a sentence which kept her out of prison, despite her being on parole and a suspended sentence.
Racheal Anne Schafer, 30, pleaded guilty on Friday to seven charges including two counts of stealing after previous conviction in Gladstone Magistrates Court.
Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd told the court that on August 15, around 10am, Schafer attended several businesses at Kin Kora shopping centre including Big W and Woolworths.
A court heard that at Big W Schafer stole $200 worth of items, such as baby items and clothing, then tried to cover up her crime by scanning a 25c exercise book barcode 19 times.
Schafer ended up paying a total of $4.75 for the stolen items, then made her way to Woolworths.
At Woolworths Schafer stole around $300 worth of items, including food and baby products once again.
When she reached the checkout, Schafer paid $51.48 using a gift card, however, failed to pay for the other items before leaving the store.
A court heard she then drove her mother’s car home, despite being disqualified, with all offences being captured on CCTV footage which was reviewed by police.
Schafer was charged for the offences at a later date and released on a bail undertaking.
Schafer’s solicitor Pierre Lamersdorf said his client was committed to paying the businesses she stole from back and had recently saved up $400 to do so.
Mr Boyd said given Schafer’s relevant criminal history, which included pages of petty theft and crime offences, the penalty imposed upon her should be jail time.
Acting Magistrate Patrick Murphy said he was granting Schafer one last chance to prove to herself and the court system that she could stay out of trouble.
“Next time you are back here I am sure you won’t receive the same reception that you have received from me today, one last chance,” Mr Murphy said.
Schafer was convicted and sentenced to 11 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 12 months.
Convictions were recorded.
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