Kallangur resident, Caralee Michelle Murray, 29, pleads guilty to 26 charges

A Brisbane mum, who was caught driving while on cannabis and meth, has appeared in court after stealing fuel more than 23 times.

A Brisbane mum has been caught red-handed stealing fuel more than 20 times from service stations cross the city’s north and Moreton regions over a six-month period.

Kallangur resident, Caralee Michelle Murray, pleaded guilty in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court to 26 charges, 23 of which were stealing fuel from petrol stations.

The court heard the 29-year-old mother-of-two committed the offences at businesses in Deagon, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Deception Bay and Kippa-Ring last year, accumulating $1291.01 worth of fuel.

Magistrate Barry Barrett said he believed the defendant would’ve planned the thefts.

“There’s seems to be a lot of premeditation here, you’ve avoided going to places where you might be identified,” he said.

Caralee Michelle Murray appeared at the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court.

Police prosecutor, Mr Carey, told the court fuel prices were too high for the young mother-of-two to pay, according to Ms Murray.

“She drove off without paying. She knew she didn’t have any money but she needed fuel,” police prosecutor Mr Carey said.

“It can be challenging to manage a budget, but we all have to do it.”

The defendant’s lawyer, Rory Cunningham, said Ms Murray’s handling of her financial situation and justification for the crimes was poor.

“It was out of need, she accepts this is not the way to go about it,” he said.

“She instructs me she was essentially trying to get her child to and from school, that was the nature of the stealing.”

Ms Murray was also charged with drug driving while on a provisional licence and not displaying learner plates.

The court heard the defendant was stopped by police on Deception Bay Rd on February 19 for a random alcohol and drug tests, where results revealed Ms Murray had consumed cannabis and methamphetamines.

“For the most part my client is off drugs,” Mr Cunningham said.

Ms Murray was convicted, received 12 months probation and was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid community service for the 23 stealing charges.

She also received three months disqualification from driving and was ordered to repay compensation of $1291.01 for the stolen fuel.