Cairns ex-Woolworths manager Paige Tayla Mallard faces 99 charges

An “exceptionally talented” Logan ex-Woolworths manager has faced court for 99 charges including stealing upwards of $17,000 from multiple banks.

Ex-Woolworths manager, Paige Tayla Mallard, 25, leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

A Logan ex-Woolworths department manager has faced court for 99 offences after stealing tens of thousands of dollars from several banks and accumulating multiple drugs charges.

Paige Tayla Mallard, 25, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Friday, November 25, to 99 charges including possessing dangerous drugs, uttering forged documents, fraud, receiving tainted property, obtaining another person’s identification and stealing.

The court heard Mallard — who recently moved to Cairns — committed the 99 charges over three years.

On October 4 she was caught stealing thousands of dollars from several Queensland banks, including $12,710 from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, $3300 from a Westpac bank and $1320 from the Australian New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ).

The court heard on June 11, 2020 in Fortitude Valley, Mallard was caught in possession of cannabis, GHB, valium, opioids, a mobile phone and laptop suspected of being used in the commission of a drug act, electronic scales, stolen cash and credit cards, a glass pipe, and a jimmy stick which could be used to gain access to a vehicle.

Mallard’s lawyer, Mark Savic, said his client had committed the offences to fund her drug addiction.

“Ms Mallard became addicted to illicit substances, which were methamphetamines,” Mr Savic said.

“(She) and her partner were heavily addicted.

“Stealing from banks and such were used to fund the drugs.”

Mr Savic said Mallard has now moved to Cairns to pursue her academics.

“She’s an exceptionally talented lady,” he said.

“She worked for Woolworths for six to eight years.

“She now works in Cairns as a manager for a food organisation.

“She pursuing a course in human relations and business management.

“She seems to have a very bright future ahead of her.”

Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll said Mallard needed to remain drug free.

“I’m concerned about your criminal misconduct,” Mr O’Driscoll said.

“I ask the question, how do I know you’re drug free?”

Mallard was convicted and given a head sentence of 18 months with immediate parole release.

She was ordered to pay restitution of $15,983.76.

All convictions were recorded.