Toowoomba woman Karlah Jean Bligh faces magistrates court for stealing from TK Maxx

Not only was this sticky-fingered Toowoomba woman busted on CCTV stealing, but when police caught up with her hours later she was found dressed head to toe in the stolen items.

Karlah Jean Bligh leaving the Toowoomba Magistrate Court on Tuesday, July 11, after pleading guilty to stealing more than $2000 worth of items from stores. Picture: News Regional Media

A sticky-fingered Toowoomba woman was almost thrown in jail after she blatantly stole $2000 worth of apparel from TK Maxx.

Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Karlah Jean Bligh stole the clothing from the Kearneys Spring shop on June 8, and was captured on CCTV stealing the items and loading them into the boot of a vehicle.

Despite police locating her wearing the stolen goods later that day, Bligh went on to steal $40 worth of makeup from Kmart five days later. Again, the court was told she was captured in the act on CCTV.

Karlah Jean Bligh leaving the Toowoomba Magistrate Court on Tuesday, July 11, after pleading guilty to stealing more than $2000 worth of items from stores. Picture: News Regional Media

Magistrate Kay Philipson told the 21-year-old that she “must want to go to jail,” given she had 15 previous charges relating to stealing and was already on a probation order – which she was not complying with.

Ms Philipson told Bligh she needed to “wake up to” herself because she “clearly wasn’t getting the message,” that she was at risk of actual jail time if she continued to offend.

The court was told Bligh was given 100 hours of community service to complete when previously sentenced in March, but had failed to complete any of it as of July 11.

Ms Philipson said Bligh’s two charges of stealing were extremely serious considering her criminal history.

At Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 11, Bligh pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing, and told the court she was willing to pay the entire $2000 back to TK Maxx.

Ms Philipson said the offer was “hollow,” and questioned how she would be able to pay the large restitution given her “humungous” SPER debt and recent $7000 fine for similar offending in March.

Blight was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment with immediate release, to run alongside Bligh’s pre-existing nine month probation order. Bligh was also ordered to pay $640 in restitution.

Originally published as Toowoomba woman Karlah Jean Bligh faces magistrates court for stealing from TK Maxx