Mum Melissa Rachal Davidson, 47, sentenced for stealing $9k cash from Ipswich shop carpark

A single mum’s jackpot find in an Ipswich carpark put her integrity to the ultimate test. A court has heard a split-second choice landed her in big trouble.

A single mum’s jackpot find in an Ipswich carpark put her integrity to the ultimate test. The split-second choice she made next ultimately landed her in court.

An Ipswich mum gave in to temptation after stumbling upon a $9000 envelope of cash at her local shopping centre carpark, a court has heard.

Collingwood Park’s Melissa Rachal Davidson, 47, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on July 5 to one count of stealing property worth more than $5000.

The court heard she went to a bank at Redbank Plains Town Square shopping centre on April 20 to withdraw cash to pay her rent.

In what Magistrate Kathleen Payne noted were “unusual” circumstances, a man visiting the same bank accidentally dropped an envelope in his pocket which contained $9000 in cash.

Ms Davidson found it in a gutter, unaware of what had happened.

By the time the man realised he had dropped his money and returned, Ms Davidson had put the money in her bag and continued to the shops.

The man notified police, who identified Ms Davidson using CCTV.

By the time they spoke to her, she had already spent around $6000 on personal debts and other expenses.

Ms Payne noted Ms Davidson had initially denied what she had done, but then started crying and apologised for her actions.

Defence lawyer Paddy O’Donnell said his client had been “quite shaken up” and “beside herself” after she was charged.

The court heard she was a single mother of two teenage children with no criminal history.

Mr O’Donnell said his client knew she had done the wrong thing but had thought her luck was about to change.

Ms Payne said Ms Davidson’s offending was serious, given the “huge amount” of money that was taken.

“It’s tempting, of course, to everyone – we’re all human beings – but we need to have that trigger in our head that identifies that the right thing to do is to return the money,” she said.

“It’s obvious that amount of cash would have belonged to someone – it’s not the same as finding a $50 note on the street and helping yourself.”

Ms Payne noted she had a very good work history at the Gatton Caravan Park before the pandemic.

But at the time of the offending Ms Davidson was unemployed and living with her parents.

She was ordered to pay $6000 in restitution to the victim, which was referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry.

She was also ordered to complete 40 hours of community service. No convictions were recorded.