Convicted joy-rider and stabber claims she didn’t commit the burglary which took place 48 hours after her release from parole

A woman who was spotted joy-riding in one of former Rockhampton MP Robert Schwarten’s stolen cars and stabbed someone “to the point of slicing her liver” was back in court accused of burglary two days after being released on parole.

A woman who was spotted joy-riding in one of former Rockhampton MP Robert Schwarten’s stolen cars and stabbed someone “to the point of slicing her liver” was back in court accused of robbery two days after her release on parole.

Anita Smith, who was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court in November 2020 for the stabbing and in January 2020 for her role in the stolen car case along with 40 other charges, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on November 3.

She was released on parole on October 28 and accused of committing a burglary on October 30 about 6.30pm.

Ms Smith’s charges include one count of entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, one of attempted fraud and four fraud – dishonesty application.

Defence lawyer Ken Spinaze said Ms Smith denied committing the burglary.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said the allegations involved offences “against a very vulnerable person” – a woman in her 80s.

She said even though the amount of money involved was low, it was still a very serious offence.

Mr Spinaze said the alleged victim described the offender as being a well-built Indigenous woman wearing a black shirt and shorts.

Ms Smith, when she appeared in court in watch house custody, was dressed similar to the description.

However, Mr Spinaze claimed while his client was captured on CCTV at a location where a stolen card was used, she denied carrying out the crimes she was accused of and was willing to name the person who she claimed was the offender.

He said Ms Smith claimed this person gave her the stolen card but did not tell her the card was stolen and she only realised when the card was refused that it may have been stolen.

Mr Spinaze said the person who gave her the card allegedly told her to use it.

“This offending is not her usual type of offending,” he said.

“While she has stealing offences on her history … most offences are violence.”

He said even though Ms Smith had only been on parole for two days, she had performed well and had strict parole conditions she had to meet which included reporting once a week in person, sticking to her mental health treatment order, immediately engaging with certain organisations that will assist her while in the community and to live with her sister.

“She has a tight rein on her,” he said.

Mr Spinaze said parole staff had already indicated parole would not be revoked due to the fresh charges and they were organising for Ms Smith to attend drug and alcohol rehabilitation service GumBi GumBi.

Ms Smith will be on parole until October 22, 2022.

Mr Spinaze said his client was willing to have a curfew as part of bail conditions.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale granted Ms Smith bail, with a curfew, and adjourned her matters to November 17.