Drug addict Kelsie Addison Maclean and her partner stole cash from Ascot Hotel’s till

A Rockhampton publican had $2500 stolen from his cash register by brazen thieves. Here’s how they did it.

A Rockhampton publican had $2500 stolen from his cash register by brazen thieves who used expensive booze as a guise.

The deceitful and brazen scheme was carried out by Kelsie Addison Maclean and her partner at the Ascot Hotel in Berserker on March 12.

Maclean, 25, pleaded guilty on August 8 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count of stealing.

Ascot Hotel, Rockhampton. Photo: Tamara MacKenzie / The Morning Bulletin

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said the couple arrived at the pub on Musgrave Street about 3.05pm and nine minutes later, Maclean approached the bar and spoke with owner Will Cordwell.

She said Maclean requested an expensive bottle of liquor which required Mr Cordwell to leave the bar area to get.

Will Cordwell.

Senior Constable Rowe said Maclean’s partner then took the opportunity to go behind the bar and used a key to unlock the cash register and steal $2500 worth of $50 notes.

She said police located the male co-offender about 5.10pm walking up the back steps of a Lakes Creek Road residence police were visiting.

The male co-offender was wearing the same clothing as worn at the pub and had $1650 cash on him.

Senior Constable Rowe said police located Maclean a short distance from the house and found her in possession of $615 cash.

Defence lawyer Jess King said her client started using drugs when she was 18 years old after moving to Brisbane from Rockhampton when she was 17.

She said Maclean lived in Brisbane for six years, working various administration jobs.

Ms King said her client’s drug use progressed to schedule one drugs (such as cocaine, amphetamines, heroin).

Drug addict Kelsie Addison Maclean and her partner stole cash from Ascot Hotel’s till.

She said after spending three months in prison for breaching Supreme Court parole, Maclean relocated back to Rockhampton for a short period.

Ms King said Maclean returned to old friendships and drugs which led to her being kicked out of her father’s home and losing her job.

However, Ms King said Maclean had since regained employment and worked on positive relationships with family members.

She said Maclean’s future plans involved relocating to rural Queensland with her partner who hails from Biloela, removing herself from the drug lifestyle.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale placed Maclean on a six-month probation order and ordered her to pay restitution of $117.50 (half of the unrecovered stolen money).

“Moving away from a problem doesn’t make the problem go away,” Ms Beckinsale said.

“You are the problem.”

A conviction was recorded.