Giorgi Julia Isobel Pert in court for stealing from Books Etc, Noosa Civic

An ex-employee of a Noosa bookstore who stole a wad of cash from the float has admitted to having “issues” with the manager. Read what happened in court:

A Doonan mother-to-be who stole a wad of cash from her old Noosa workplace told police she used to have “issues” with the manager, a court has heard.

Giorgi Julia Isobel Pert, 21, was previously employed at Books Etc before gaining a job at a clothing store in the same Noosa Civic Shopping Centre precinct.

Pert pleaded guilty in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 to stealing from the bookstore and was placed on a good behaviour bond.

Police prosecutor Alison Johnstone said the incident occurred after staff members of Books Etc had balanced the till and closed the store for the day on February 18, 2022 at 5.30pm.

“CCTV footage depicted a female locking up a nearby shop, walking to the bookshop and crouching down for several seconds,” Sergeant Johnstone said.

“She appears to remove something from under the table, places it in her handbag and walks away.”

The next morning, the manager of the bookstore noticed $81 cash was missing from the float.

The store manager recognised Pert from the footage as an ex-employee.

Sergeant Johnstone said when Pert was interviewed by police she admitted to checking the float but denied taking any money.

“She said she used to work there and had issues with the manager who accused her of stealing money from the business,” she said.

Defence lawyer Clare Cartwright told the court Pert was six months pregnant with her first baby and stole the money soon after she found out she was expecting.

“She was not in a good headspace,” Ms Cartwright said.

“It was opportunistic, certainly not intended for substantial personal gain.”

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist put Pert on a good behaviour bond of $800 for nine months.

No conviction was recorded.