Kylie Louise Struck: Appeal dismissed over serial shoplifter’s crime spree sentence

A serial shoplifter has told a court how her addiction started and grew into “manic” behaviour with 57 convictions recorded over the past 10 years.

Kylie Louise Struck, 48, of Warnervale, has appealed her jail sentence for shoplifting. Picture: NewsLocal

Serial shoplifter Kylie Louise Struck has had 57 shoplifting convictions since 2011, a court has heard.

The mother of four from Warnervale appeared in Gosford District Court via audio visual link from jail on Tuesday to appeal her latest sentence of imprisonment.

In September, Struck was sentenced at Wyong Local Court to two years jail with a non parole period of one year.

It came after the 48-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 shoplifting offences along with one count each of having goods in custody, fraud and failing to disclose the driver of a car.

During her sentence, the court heard the extent of her offending from Port Macquarie to Sydney Airport.

Kylie Louise Struck, 48, of Warnervale, outside Wyong Local Court where she was sentenced for shoplifting. Picture: NewsLocal

This included:

• Stealing $974.85 worth of beauty products from Plunket’s Pharmacy in Port Macquarie on March 24 2021.

• Leaving before paying the $475 bill at Sassine Hair Salon at Narellan Town Centre on February 12 2022.

• Stealing two bottles of alcohol from Liquorland at Tuggerah Westfield and two jumpers from Ozmosis Surf Wear shop at Lake Haven on May 22.

• Stealing $619 worth of skin care products, perfume and makeup from Priceline Pharmacy at Lake Haven on May 25.

Struck went on a shoplifting spree at Westfield Tuggerah. Picture: Mark Scott

• Five finger discount spree at Westfield Tuggerah where she visited QBD Books, Katies, Spendless Shoes and Cotton On Body where she stole various items of clothing, shoes and children’s toys totalling $297.41 on June 10.

• Stealing a wallet and t-shirt from Ripcurl shop at Terminal 2, Sydney Domestic Terminal on July 15. Ten minutes later, police caught up to Struck and found perfume, books, earrings and other items worth $802.89 stolen from various shops at the airport.

During the appeal, the court heard Struck had been diagnosed with kleptomania which is a mental health disorder where people cannot resist the urge to steal.

Struck gave evidence about her traumatic childhood which led to mental health issues to the point where stealing became an addiction.

Struck’s last offences were committed at shops in the Domestic Terminal of Sydney Airport.

She said it started as a way to feed her children and became “manic” behaviour that overcame her.

“It wasn’t just food, it was anything. I had to shoplift,” she said. “For me it was an escape. It’s nothing that I am proud of.

“I have come to the realisation in jail of how serious my offence was. I want to be the honest person I was 10 years ago. I want to give back to the community.

“This whole experience has been the biggest awakening.”

Struck’s defence lawyer Brad Kernick asked Judge David Wilson to consider reducing the sentence to an Intensive Corrections Order with home detention so Struck can be treated by her doctor for bipolar and her more recent diagnosis of kleptomania. He also told the court this was Struck first time in jail.

The court heard Struck had 57 shoplifting convictions. Picture: David Swift

The Crown Prosecutor opposed an ICO, pointing out that Struck had reoffended while she was on an ICO.

Judge Wilson said jail was the best option to reduce Struck’s risk of reoffending.

“She has 57 convictions for shoplifting,” he said.

“Two ICOs in the past have not had the desired effect of deterrence. Seems to me it’s plain that serving imprisonment by full time custody would decrease her risk of reoffending.

He dismissed the appeal and maintained the sentence of two years with a non parole period of one year. Struck will be eligible for parole on September 4 2023.