Drug addict Melda Joyce Hill stole a charity donation tin from a Rockhampton business

Police said the woman had a disgraceful 27-page criminal history and a magistrate blasted her saying there was “not much lower” as far as stealing goes.

A woman who stole a charity donation tin from a Rockhampton business has been described as a recidivist offender who “keeps on stealing things”.

Melda Joyce Hill, 37, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on February 28 to stealing.

The court heard that on January 28 last year, Hill entered Liquorland Stockland about 1.35pm.

Police Prosecutor Brandy Butler said Hill approached the counter, where she waited for the shop assistant to be distracted, before she took the money tin from the counter.

Ms Butler said Hill then placed the money tin under a cloth to conceal it and she fled on foot.

“Investigators viewed CCTV footage of the offence and observed a female bearing a distinctive resemblance to the defendant, committing the offence,” Ms Butler said.

“She was observed to have identical facial tattoos as the defendant.”

On December 4 last year, police found Hill at a Rockhampton residence and she admitted to taking the money tin.

Ms Butler said Hill had a 27-page criminal history which was “disgraceful” having commenced in 2001.

Solicitor Rebecca Winning said Hill was unemployed and she had been homeless and “heavily into drugs and alcohol” at the time of committing this offence.

Ms Winning said Hill, who had previously served time in prison, had taken steps to turn her life around including seeking help with rehabilitation.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Cameron Press blasted Hill.

“To steal a charity tin, Madam, is simply a deplorable act,” Mr Press said.

“People give money to charities so those charities can help other people that are disadvantaged, and when you steal a charity tin, there’s not much lower than that as far as stealing is concerned.”

Mr Press sentenced Hill to six months’ jail, suspended for an operational period of 12 months.

“You have served, over the years, terms of imprisonment on several occasions,” Mr Press said.

“Well, if you keep up with this type of dishonesty offending, you can expect to go back to prison to serve terms...

“You start getting your behaviour under control.”