Emily Kathleen Warren sentenced for charity robbery

An ice-fuelled burglar who targeted a Meals on Wheels charity used a popular beach collectable to smash a car window in a busy Maroochydore street. Read why here:

An ice-fuelled burglar who targeted a charity during a drug-hazed crime spree enlisted the help of a shell to smash through a car window.

Emily Kathleen Warren was sentenced to 15 months’ prison on Thursday after she pleaded guilty to eight charges including enter a premise and commit an indictable offence by break and two counts of stealing.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Warren was suffering from a drug-induced psychosis when she broke into Gympie’s Meals on Wheels at midnight on December 7, 2021.

“(Warren) removed the fly screen, forced her way in and jumped through a window,” police prosecutor Phillip Stephens said.

Sergeant Stephens said while inside Warren, who was caught on CCTV, took two wallets and a vest from the charity.

“She walked off wearing the safety vest,” he said.

He told the court the former Nambour local also attempted to enter Gympie’s Australian Hotel by breaking a glass louvre on the same day.

Sergeant Stephens said Warren was seen picking up a large TV before giving up and putting it down.

“It seemed to be too heavy for her,” he said.

The court heard Warren broke into Maroochydore’s Avalon building by Mosaic to steal a bicycle on October 19, 2021, stole a pair of Dr Martens shoes on November 8, 2021 and broke into a car on First Ave before using a shell to smash a car’s window on November 19, 2021.

“ … (Warren) used a large shell to break the rear window of the victim’s motor vehicle,” he said.

A bystander quickly busted Warren, who fled the scene, leaving her handbag behind.

Emily Kathleen Warren was sentenced to 15 months’ prison on Thursday. Picture: Social media.

Sergeant Stephens said Warren had 10 pages of criminal history and was on a 12-month suspended sentence when she committed the offences.

He said Warren asked for a prison sentence of 18 months to be imposed.

He said the suspended sentences breached by Warren should be activated.

Solicitor Liesel Rogan asked Magistrate Catherine Benson to impose a sentence closer to 12 months given Warren’s extreme co-operation, early pleas of guilty, young age and rehabilitation prospects.

Ms Rogan said ice had a grip on Warren since she was a teenager.

She said Warren started suffering from drug induced psychosis immediately after using the drug and had been in hospital for two days at the time of her arrest.

Ms Rogan said Warren, who had struggled with homelessness, planned to stay with a friend upon her release and was motivated to address her drug addiction.

“She is not beyond rehabilitation,” she said.

She said Warren had done everything in her power to ensure her matters were dealt with quickly by the courts.

Ms Benson ordered Warren to complete one third of the 15-month sentence and issued a parole release date in May.

The suspended sentences breached by Warren’s offending were activated and will run concurrently with the prison sentence.

Warren’s 63 days of pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.