Brisbane nurse Amelia Kautiainen faces court for stealing, forging scripts

A Brisbane nurse has been fired for forging and swiping scripts to fuel her “crippling’’ drug addiction.

Amelia Kathleen Kautiainen, 28, leaving Brisbane Magistrates' Court on April 8, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A Brisbane nurse has faced court after stealing scripts from her workplace to fuel her drug addiction.

Amelia Kathleen Kautiainen, 28, pleaded guilty on April 8 to more than 20 offences including fraud, stealing, two counts of entering a premises and committing an indictable offence, 11 counts of uttering a forged document, five counts of forgery and uttering and four counts of personation.

The Brisbane Magistrates’ Court heard Kautiainen stole and forged scripts while working as a nurse at Our Medical Centre in 2023.

Magistrate Kerrie O’Callaghan said Kautiainen’s offending was spurred by her “crippling addiction to drugs”.

The court heard Kautiainen developed addiction issues after being prescribed oxycodone for major abdominal surgery in 2020.

Amelia Kathleen Kautiainen, 28, leaving Brisbane Magistrates' Court on April 8, 2024. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Her addiction became worse after she contracted Covid in 2023, shortly before her offending began.

The court heard Kautiainen was prescribed similar medication for a cracked rib at that time.

Ms O’Callaghan noted Kautiainen had been let go from Our Medical Centre after her offending was uncovered and her nursing registration was cancelled.

She was now working in administration at a medical centre and intended to apply for her registration to be reinstated.

Ms O’Callaghan said Kautiainen accepted she needed to address her addiction issues and was now on a Suboxone rehabilitation program.

She sentenced Kautiainen to 18 months’ probation. No convictions were recorded.