Naomi Leigh Welk pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to stealing

A repeat offender with a ‘shocking record’ told the court she doesn’t remember stealing sushi and makeup from Woolworths, claiming she didn’t even like the cuisine she stole.

A 41-year-old Roma woman caught stealing groceries from a Toowoomba Woolworths has told a court she was unmedicated at the time of her offending.

Naomi Leigh Welk pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to one count of stealing.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said on February 19 Welk was spotted pocketing makeup items and sushi from the Drayton Woolworths in Toowoomba.

An observant staff member followed Welk outside the store and took photographs of her as she made her getaway.

It wasn’t long when the law caught up with the defendant when Roma Police located her and took her into questioning.

Welk told police she couldn’t remember her whereabouts on the day of the offending, however when police showed her CCTV footage of her theft she admitted it was her in the footage.

“She said she couldn’t remember what occurred as she was unmedicated at the time and stated when she is unmedicated she cannot remember what goes on,” Mr Donnelly said.

Defence lawyer Leslee Reed said her client was on a disability pension and when she was unmedicated “she simply can’t remember what happens”.

“She was also drinking alcohol,” Ms Reed said.

Naomi Leigh Welk pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to stealing. Picture: Facebook.

“She can’t understand why she took the sushi, she doesn’t even like it or eat it.”

Acting magistrate Michael Bice said Welk has a “shocking record”.

“I recall 13 separate offences of dishonesty, and at least half of them are stealing,” he said.

“I know your medication was a mitigating factor but take your medication, there is no excuse in a court of law for not taking your medication.

“The medication stops you from doing the irrational things and the impulse things, like going to try and eat something you don’t even like. It makes no sense at all.

“We don’t need people like you in jail, but in the end of the day you’ve got to make some changes.”

Welk was handed a 50 hour community service order, to be completed within 12 months, with a conviction recorded.