Sharna Jean Nicol faces court pleading guilty to aggravated break-in after raiding new Grafton business
Police made an odd arrest after a brazen break-in targeting a new business in Grafton. Here’s how one of the crooks fared in court.
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A mother and her co-accused broke into a new Grafton business and stole several high value items before she was caught on the dunny.
Sharna Jean Nicol, 29, faced Grafton Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to one count of aggravated break and entry dwelling in company and two counts of enter enclosed land.
The court heard Nicol and her co-accused entered the Prince Street premise at 1:30am on May 31, as captured on CCTV.
Police facts reveal the building was being renovated for new ownership under Andersens Pty before the pair entered and broke into a safe containing $10,000.
They also took off with a laptop, TV, vacuum, saw, leaf blower, staple gun, checkbooks, a coffee machine and admin items, the court heard.
Police were notified of the incident by a witness, who spotted the thieves hauling a large TV through a car park.
Facts state Nicol’s co-accused fled with police on his tail, while Nicol was later arrested on a toilet inside a dwelling.
Police seized several items alleged to be stolen from their property.
Nicol spent seven days in custody.
The court heard Nicol had a limited criminal history and her offending was out character.
Nicol’s lawyer Brett Marshall said his client cared for two children and was speaking to a psychologist, as well as undergoing alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
He told the court no one was physically harmed and the offending may be considered in the context of Nicol’s history of homelessness and substance abuse.
Nicol was under the influence of cannabis and methamphetamines during her offending, which Mr Marshall said should be taken into account.
The court heard Nicol was unaware her co-accused planned to rob the safe and she conceded her relationship with the co-accused was “unhelpful”.
Mr Marshall also told the court about Nicol’s difficult childhood.
Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said the break-in caused significant distress to the victims, who “just bought the premises and were trying to establish a business”.
Nicol was sentenced to a nine month intensive correction order as an alternative to prison.
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