How a woman’s $1000 Grand Central stealing spree was foiled

A DALBY woman, 64, faced court this week for stealing more than $1000 in goods from Target and Big W.

Big W

Sheryl Olive Williams, 64, faced court on Tuesday forstealing more than $1000 in goods in just one day.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Jodie Tahana told the court Williams was intercepted by police in the Grand Central car park in Toowoomba after reports of a theft.

Big W employees reported to police Williams had presented to the checkout, but failed to scan all of the items.

When questioned by police, Williams claimed she had purchased the items from Target and Big W but could only provide proof of purchase for a select number of items.

Williams had in her possession 34 individual items valued at $746.85 from Target and a further 35 items valued at $327.65 from Big W.

She admitted to police she stole the items, placing them in reusable bags before proceeding to the checkout and only paying for a select number of items.

Defence lawyer Codi Dalley told the court Williams was going through a rough year after losing both her father and a nephew as well having her house burn down.

Dalley said Williams was on medication for mental health concerns and was "severely affected by the medication" at the time and had expressed "extreme" remorse for her actions.

"When you get to your age having not been before the court it's not surprising you have been having difficulties in your life," magistrate Tracy Mossop said.

"The last thing you need to do is silly things like this."

Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing and was fined $400 and no conviction was recorded.

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