Samantha Rose Oram sentenced on string of stealing charges

A 37-year-old woman has learnt her fate after a months’ long crime spree where she stole from several businesses in the Rockhampton region.

A meth-using mother with drug induced psychosis and a 21-page criminal history will be released into the community on strict conditions after spending nearly four months in jail for a string of property offences.

A meth-using mum with drug-induced psychosis and a long criminal history has learnt her fate after a string of property offences.

Samantha Rose Oram, 37, faced 22 charges in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Friday after her drug-induced crime spree.

Her current string of offences began on June 1 when she stole from Big W in Rockhampton - she was charged with possession of stolen goods later that afternoon.

On July 12 she stole from Jet Dry Cleaners and on July 17 she stole from Wattle Bee Next in Mount Morgan.

She was charged with failure to appear after she was a no-show at a court date on August 14.

Three days later, August 17, she wilfully damaged a motor vehicle in Rockhampton.
On August 29 she was charged with enter premises for a break in at the Heritage Hotel in Rockhampton.
Her offending continued into the month of September, where she was charged with a string of fraud offences after stealing from taxi drivers.
Her downfall came after September 11 when she was taken into custody after two more enter dwelling offences.
Police prosecutor Brandon Selic said said the woman had a 21-page criminal history and had been held for 119 days in custody.

“This is unfortunately a stay in for this offender - she has a prodigious history of like offending.”

“She was on parole at the time of this offending.

“The only thing I can say, Your Honour, is that she has not diversified her offending.”
Defence lawyer Brandon Gimbert appeared on behalf of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service.
He said Ms Oram had a troubled history involving drug and alcohol issues.

“She has a 14-year-old son that’s residing in Brisbane,” he said.

“She uses the drug ice - she was first diagnosed with drug induced psychosis in 2009 - there’s some drug issues for about 15 odd years now.

“She initially tried [drug and alcohol] rehabilitation when she was about 18, but has not completed another stay since then.

“She’s now taking steps in custody - a 12 hour program to do with drugs and alcohol… there’s still a lot of work to do for Ms Oram, but this was something she hasn’t done in her many years before the courts.”

Magistrate Byrne set a number of strict parole conditions for Ms Oram, including mandatory urine testing and counselling, along with prohibiting her from leaving Queensland.

Ms Oram was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 24 months.