Shontelle Alicia-Shay Hall in Maroochydore court for crime spree

A pregnant mother-of-four may have to have her baby in jail after a year-long crime spree. Read the tragic story told in court about what led to her downfall.

The tragic backstory behind a pregnant mum-of-four’s year-long crime spree has been revealed in court as she was sentenced from behind bars.

Shontelle Alicia-Shay Hall, 26, was represented by solicitor Luke Bull in Maroochydore Magistrates Court who said Hall was 30 weeks’ pregnant.

Mr Bull told the court about Hall’s traumatic past where she was subjected to domestic violence and homelessness.

“Her background is unfortunate ... she was not only exposed to domestically violent relationships but her dad has also been violent towards her throughout her life,” Mr Bull said.

As a result of that violent relationship with her father, Hall had been living on the streets from the age of 16, the court heard.

“Whilst living on the streets, she met the father of her children, she has four, the fifth is on the way,” Mr Bull said.

Shontelle Alicia-Shay Hall.

Mr Bull said as a result of Hall’s violent relationships she turned to drugs.

“That led her into custody for the first time last year,” he said.

“When she got out of jail she was essentially homeless and got into another domestically violent relationship.”

Mr Bull asked for Hall to be given a parole eligibility date before her baby’s due date in January 2023.

He was hopeful given Hall’s pregnancy that the parole board would release her before the birth.

Hall’s offending between March 8, 2021, and July 12, 2022, involved stealing fuel, having stolen bank cards in her possession, being found with drugs and unlawfully using someone else’s car.

She pleaded guilty to 16 offences including stealing, drug possession, failing to appear and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court heard Hall also had a four-page criminal history of similar offences.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist gave Hall 12 months’ prison with a parole eligibility date of December 1, 2022.

“You don’t need a bloke in your life, you just don’t need one,” Magistrate Stjernqvist said to Hall.