Jennifer Fiona Hays tries to steal from Booval Fair Shopping Centre

A woman whose own lawyer used the word “stupid” when describing her ploy to present an old receipt for a refund on a trolley-load of different goods has shamefully fronted court.

Jennifer Fiona Hays pleads guilty to stealing from Booval Fair Shopping Centre.

A mother’s attempt at stealing a trolley load of goods from Big W using a receipt for totally different items has been described as “stupid” in court.

Jennifer Fiona Hays, 51, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court to a single charge of attempted fraud to dishonestly gain benefit/advantage in Booval.

The court heard the defendant was a mother of two and had already amassed several similar stealing offences, including stealing 10 electric toothbrushes and a high voltage battery worth more than $2000.

Hays breached a previous probation order at the time of the offence at Big W at Booval Fair Shopping Centre on April 6, 2023.

The court heard Hays took an old receipt into the Big W and began shopping, filling her cart with several items.

She then used the old receipt to try and have the unpaid items refunded.

Jennifer Fiona Hays leaving Ipswich Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to stealing from Booval Fair Shopping Centre.

Hays’ lawyer told the court it was the poorest attempt at stealing he had seen, as the items in the defendant’s trolley did not match the receipt.

“She made an extremely stupid decision on this occasion,” Hays’ lawyer said.

The court heard Hayes was on a disability support pension and currently worked part-time at a Booval tobacconist.

The court heard she occasionally volunteered at the Salvation Army and recently re-engaged with her local church.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne acknowledged her fraud attempt at Big W was unsuccessful, and that she was currently completing Drug Awareness and Relief Foundation courses.

Hays received a two-month term of imprisonment wholly suspended for 12 months with a conviction recorded.

Her current probation order, which she breached, expires in October 2023.