Jessica Crawley: Former Woodridge High student busted over home break-in

A former Woodridge High student, who got caught by a resident while she was ransacking their home during a brazen break-in, is now trying to keep away from “bad company”, a court has heard.

A former Woodridge High student who got caught by a resident while she was ransacking their home during a brazen break-in is now trying to keep away from “bad company”, a court has heard.

Jessica Colleen Crawley, 18, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday to six charges including entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing dangerous drugs and possession of a knife in a public place.

Jessica Colleen Crawley leaving Beenleigh court.

The court heard the 18-year-old broke into a residence in Tarragindi while in the company of two other people and stole property on July 16, 2021.

Crawley had allegedly attended the front door of the house to make sure no one was inside before going around the home and breaking in through a side window to gain access.

The court heard she was caught in the act when a resident returned home and found her with a bag of stolen property.

The court heard she also unlawfully used a motor vehicle in Waterford on July 4, 2021, and did it again in Tarragindi on July 6, 2021, before being caught by police driving unlicensed the same day.

She was also charged with possessing cannabis and possessing a knife in a public place in Jellicoe St, Loganlea on July 31, 2021.

Crawley’s lawyer told the court she had been acting out and surrounded herself with “bad company” at the time of offending after her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“With respect to the cannabis, she tells me that she has been using it for quite some time as it helps her with her anxiety but she’s since been referred to a psychologist,” she said.

“She doesn’t make any excuse for her actions. She does just say that things have just been very tough with her mother and she did act out.”

Magistrate Terry Duroux sentenced her to 18 months probation. No conviction was recorded.