Esther Theresa Fisher arrested after sentenced for robbery at Gracemere

It was only a few short steps of freedom for a young woman given immediate parole for a violent bottle shop robbery, with police pouncing again the moment she left court. See the photos here.

It was only a few short steps of freedom for a young woman given immediate parole for a bottle shop robbery, with police handcuffing her the moment she left court.

Esther Theresa Fisher, 18, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on November 28 for one count of robbery in company with violence, six unlawful use of motor vehicles, four stealing charges, five breaches of bail, one enter dwelling and commit an indictable offence and one fail to appear in court.

She pleaded guilty to the robbery charge on November 14 and the rest on November 28.

After being handed a head sentence of 21 months prison with immediate parole by Judge Jeff Clarke, Fisher’s freedom in the community was short-lived as she was arrested and handcuffed outside the courthouse.

Esther Theresa Fisher was arrested outside Rockhampton courthouse after being sentenced for robbery

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said Fisher and her co-offenders – one who has not been identified – carried out the robbery.

Judge Clarke said the trio entered a Gracemere bottle shop about 8.20pm on March 14, grabbed cartons of alcohol from a cold room near the cash register and proceeded to leave the store without paying.

The court heard an employee tried to stop the trio only to be pushed out of the way before taking off in a stolen Ford Ranger.

Fisher’s offending started on February 13, 2022, when she and others gained entry into a house, stole keys and took off in the occupant’s Toyota HiLux – all of which was captured on CCTV.

Fisher was on March 1 identified as being a passenger in another vehicle – a Toyota Prado – stolen by others involved in a burglary.

The stolen car was driven around Mount Morgan, Yeppoon and Rockhampton.

Four days later, Fisher stole $173 worth of alcohol from Liquorland in Berserker while her co-offender distracted staff – as captured on CCTV.

Her fingerprints were found inside a Landcruiser which was stolen from Mulambin on March 8 and she was captured on CCTV inside a stolen RAV4.

Esther Theresa Fisher arrested outside Rockhampton Court House.

Fisher stole fuel from a service station on March 12 and missed court on March 14.

She was captured on CCTV putting fuel in a stolen Holden Commodore at Marlborough on March 16 and she was intercepted in the stolen Commodore on the Bruce Highway.

Fisher failed to report to the police, a condition of her bail, multiple times.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said Fisher’s father died from cancer five years ago and she had since led a transient lifestyle, leaving school in Year 10 and had “inadequate supervision” along with unresolved grief.

He said she started drinking alcohol at 15 years old, had binge drank on occasions and chromed for a period of time.

Mr Ahlstrand said Fisher had consumed alcohol before this offending and was associating with a negative peer group.

She claimed she had “disassociated herself” from various individuals in more recent times.

Judge Clarke declared 152 days presentence custody as time served on her 21-month prison term and gave Fisher immediate parole.

Fisher’s outstanding charges since her latest arrest outside the courthouse are three counts of enter dwelling and commit, seven of unlawful use of motor vehicle, one of receiving tainted property, one of serious assault of person over the age of 60 and four stealing.

She did not apply for bail for the fresh charges and her matter was adjourned to a long plea at a later date.