Michelle Therese Sheehan in court for Hayman Island corner store thefts

A ‘mature-aged’ woman has been told she ‘should know better’ after being caught red-handed stealing from her workplace.

A housekeeper has been sacked from her job at a luxury Whitsunday resort after stealing six bottles of wine in a six-day period.

Michelle Therese Sheehan used the same mode of operation to steal red wine from a Hayman Island corner store three times in October this year, each time paying the cashier for one bottle then walking out with two other bottles hidden in her bag.

Michelle Therese Sheehan pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing. Picture: Kirra Grimes

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard each of the stolen bottles was valued at $12, and the store – which recorded Sheehan on CCTV committing the thefts on October 26, 27 and 31 – was seeking a total of $72 in restitution.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said Sheehan’s employment had been terminated as a result of the offences.

Representing herself, Sheehan told the court she was “suffering some mental health issues that week and wasn't thinking in a straight mind”.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing.

Acting magistrate Ron Muirhead sentenced her to pay the $72 restitution plus a $500 fine, telling her the behaviour was “very silly”.

“As a mature-aged person, you should know better,” Mr Muirhead said.

“You’ve lost your job over it.”

No convictions were recorded.