Celeste Abbey Johnson: Mum-of-five fronts court on fraud, stealing charges

A young Brisbane mum, with her two-day-old baby by her side, has been sentenced in an Ipswich court for a list of 10 charges.

Two days after giving birth to her fifth child, a mum-of-five travelled to an Ipswich court with her newborn baby to plead guilty to 10 charges including stealing and fraud.

Celeste Abbey Johnson, 24, of Chermside appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday, April 22.

The court heard that with “a little bit of calculation” and “some amount of planning”, the young mum dishonestly obtained a sum of money from a man.

The prosecution said Johnson had a “very short” criminal history.

She came before the court on Friday charged with fraud, stealing, contravening a direction of police, failure to appear in court, breach of bail, possessing used utensils or pipes, and unlawfully possessing property suspected to be stolen.

Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough said his client had only given birth two days before appearing in court, making her a mum and primary carer to five children under the age of seven.

Given her young age, Mr Fairclough argued a period of probation might be the most appropriate penalty for her crimes as it would help her manage “the stresses of life”.

Acting Magistrate Rob Turra said Johnson’s plea of guilty demonstrated she felt some remorse.

“These offences are opportunistic offences,” he said.

“Some come out of planning. You certainly knew what you were doing.”

He said if she were to recommit like offences, the court would have to consider sentencing her to a term of imprisonment.

“It’s not trivial offending,” he said.

“This behaviour and the responsibilities of yourself as a mum don’t go hand-in-hand.”

Mr Turra ordered Johnson serve 15 months’ probation and pay $1450 restitution. No convictions were recorded.