Winton-Lee Baker pleads guilty to theft from Coolum Coastal Chicken

A former chicken shop employee has been caught red handed on CCTV after she broke into her old workplace and stole money from the business’ safe.

Winton-Lee Baker faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Sam Turner

A former chicken shop employee has been barbecued in court after she broke into her old workplace and pilfered from the business’ safe.

Winton-Lee Baker was still in possession of Coolum Coastal Chicken’s key when she was let go 18 months ago, however decided to hatch up a scheme to steal from her former employer.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard the half-cooked plan on Monday after the Buderim woman pleaded guilty to entering a premise to commit an indictable offence by break and drug driving.

Police prosecutor Mel Pyke said staff closed the chicken shop about 8pm on November 3, with the weekend’s cash takings of $1873.70 placed in a safe inside.

Baker after her sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

About 7.45am the following morning, staff realised the takeaway shop had been broken into with the cash from the safe gone.

Sergeant Pyke said CCTV revealed Baker used a key to the business to gain entry earlier that morning. She also used the key to take the cash from the safe.

The court heard other security cameras from nearby were canvassed by police which showed the 31-year-old in the area with her car and distinctive clothing.

Police realised she was intercepted in the same vehicle when she was pinned drug driving on October 25 at Sippy Downs.

Sergeant Pyke said the Coolum Coastal Chicken’s business owner told police that staff identified Baker in the security footage as “being Winnie”.

Baker was fired from the takeaway shop 18 months earlier but had access to a key to the business and its safe.

The Buderim woman struggled to see after leaving the courthouse with her jumper over her head. Picture: Patrick Woods

The Buderim woman’s home was raided by police on November 4, with similar clothing from the CCTV found.

Police spoke to Baker on November 6 where she confessed to having a gambling addiction.

“They never found the key hey,” magistrate Chris Callaghan asked, with Sergeant Pyke saying no.

“Outrageous behaviour.”

Duty lawyer Michael Robinson said Baker told him the “harrowing detail and consequences” of her gambling addiction, with her being $90,000 in debt.

Mr Robinson said the 31-year-old, who now works in a different takeaway shop, was currently seeing a gambling counsellor.

He told the court Baker refused to go bankrupt however, as she believed she would not be able to get another rental home with that on her history.

The Buderim woman hoped to explore youth work as a career in the future.

Baker was placed on a two year probation order and disqualified from driving for three months. She must also pay back the money she stole.

No conviction was recorded.