Angelique Dorothy Shrimp pleads guilty to 44 charges after bottle shop stealing spree

A young woman who stole drinks over twenty times from liquor stores told a magistrate she was keen to get her photo ID to “go to the pubs and sh-t”.

A young woman who stole drinks over twenty times from various liquor stores told a magistrate she was keen to get her photo ID to “go to the pubs and sh-t” despite his warnings about her alcoholism, the court heard.

A young woman who stole drinks more than twenty times from various liquor stores told a magistrate she was keen to get her photo ID to “go to the pubs and sh-t” despite his warnings about her alcoholism.

Angelique Dorothy Shrimp told Mackay Magistrates Court she felt her offending had calmed down “because I give (shoplifted drinks) back when they (staff members) stop me”.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer said the 19-year-old did that because, “you realise if you don’t give it back, you’re going to come see me and there’s not much joy in that”.

The court heard Shrimp had stolen alcohol from Liquorland Andergrove five times within two months, as well as shoplifting at Liquorland Slade Point, BWS West Mackay, and Dan Murphy’s Mackay.

“You’re not fair dinkum, are you Ms Shrimp ... you’re just an alcoholic,” Mr Dwyer said.

“What am I going to do, am I going to send you to jail?

“(Because) at least the pubs would be safe for the next six months.

“(But) what’s the point of sending you to prison (where) you’re not going to get the assistance you need there.”

Despite Mr Dwyer’s repeated insistence Shrimp’s drinking was the problem, she referred twice to the potential of getting a photo ID so she could drink in public bars.

Angelique Dorothy Shrimp stole alcohol from Liquorland Andergrove five times within two months, as well as Liquorland Slade Point, BWS West Mackay, and Dan Murphy’s Mackay. Photo: Contributed

Shrimp pleaded guilty to 44 charges committed between May 31, 2023 and January 2, 2024.

Those included assaulting police while intoxicated, assault police, obstructing police, common assault, failure to appear, probation breaches, bike riding without a helmet, and 28 stealing offences.

Police prosecutor Leonie Taufa’ao said Shrimp’s case came with a 25-page sentencing schedule to detail her offending.

Defence lawyer Daniel Lane said, given her young age and need for rehabilitation, a community service or intensive correction order (ICO) would be an appropriate deterrent.

“(I note) the fact that her issues stem from alcohol rather than the compulsion to steal,” Mr Lane said.

Shrimp was sentenced to a nine-month intensive correction order and 40 hours of community service.

“Now this is your very last chance from me,” Mr Dwyer said.

“That’s one of my faults - I’m too patient, I’m told.

“You come back and you are going to prison.”