Simone Milligan: Dubbo woman sentenced for stealing spree in Dubbo Local Court

In one instance the Dubbo woman contacted the owner of a stolen laptop and attempted to pocket a reward of more than $500. Find out what the magistrate had to say.

A Dubbo woman with a knack for stealing has been sentenced in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday.

Simone Milligan, 34, appeared in court charged with a number of unrelated matters including two separate larceny charges, receiving stolen property, two separate drug possession charges, resisting arrest and failing to comply with public health orders.

According to documents tendered to Dubbo Local Court, Milligan was arrested on May 11 last year due to her involvement in property being stolen from a victim’s car on Bultje Street in Dubbo.

Simone Milligan was convicted for multiple charges in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Picture: Facebook

“Between 8pm and 7am on Tuesday May 11 2021, unknown persons broke into the (victim’s) vehicle and stole a number of items … including an Apple laptop, portable hard drive, birth certificate, DJ Mavic Drone, a two-way radio and other personal belongings,” police facts state.

The victim reported the matter to police who later visited the scene to investigate.

After noticing that his laptop had connected to the internet, the victim could pinpoint its location at Church Street in Dubbo.

He later later visited the property and spoke to a group of people, saying that he would pay for the stolen property if anyone knew where it was.

At this time he saw Milligan and the co-accused sitting in a white Toyota Corolla at the front of the property.

Later that evening the victim received a text message saying “hi in regards the reward of the laptop please call me asap” (sic).

The victim called the number and spoke to the co-accused, speaking about the stolen property with further text messages discussing the items.

Following the conversation, the victim contacted police stating that he was able to meet with the co-accused to retrieve the stolen property, with an agreed meeting point at the McDonald’s car park on Cobra Street.

At 7.20pm the victim spotted Milligan and the co-accused in the same white Toyota Corolla from Church Street, later handing the pair $530 in a white Commonwealth Bank envelope in exchange for his laptop bag.

When returning to his vehicle, he received a message from the co-accused saying “hey I am sorry therr is onky 500” (sic).

Police then blocked the car Milligan was in, arresting the three people inside the vehicle, with each denying any knowledge of the money given by the victim.

“The vehicle was searched, in the rear police located a black ‘North Face’ bag, this contained the victim’s drone, two way radio, hard drive as well as other items,” police facts state.

Officers could not locate the money in the car, although the envelope was found empty in the centre console.

Milligan and the co-accused were taken to Dubbo Police Station and entered into custody as she was charged with receiving stolen property.

In speaking with police, Milligan denied her involvement in the offence, saying she only went for a drive, however court documents reveal she “changed her story multiple times”.

“The co-accused stated she retrieved the property from the accused and they intended to sell it, knowing it was stolen,” police facts state.

When in custody for this offence, Milligan was also questioned on a matter from April 17, 2021 in which she admitted to stealing multiple clothing items from Myers in Dubbo, totalling $2104.

Police facts state that Milligan stuffed clothes into a duffel bag before leaving the store with a Myers worker witnessing the “suspicious” activity from the 34-year-old.

She contacted police later, providing a photograph of Milligan as officers looked at CCTV confirming the accused’s identity.

During questioning, Milligan told police “yeah I’m guilty of that, I took them”.

“I threw it in the bin and took some stuff to Brewarrina and then lost it,” police facts state.

Dubbo Local Court.

Milligan’s lawyer, Mr McGuinness told the court that the most serious offence was the larceny charge involving the stolen items from Myers.

“There was no recovery of that property … so obviously there was a loss,” Mr McGuinness conceded.

However, he told Magistrate Mal Macpherson that there was a degree of spontaneity, similar to each of the other matters, highlighting his client’s willingness to make full admissions to police.

In relation to the stolen laptop, Mr McGuinness said Milligan did not know what was going on, although admitting she was involved in “facilitating (it) to a degree”.

“Ultimately your honour, there is a drug issue with all these matters,” Mr McGuinness said.

He told Magistrate Macpherson that Milligan has struggled with completing programs to address her substance abuse problems, but has made considerable efforts to stay on a strong path of rehabilitation.

However due to Milligan’s experiences and exposure to domestic violence, including her last partner who cut her throat with a bottle, she had “turned to drugs”.

“She embraces that she needs help, she is in a (much) safer environment to address her drug problems,” Mr McGuinness said.

In assessing Milligan’s matters, Magistrate Macpherson accepted Mr McGuinness’ submission that Milligan’s biggest issue was in relation to turning to drugs as a result of domestic violence.

However, Magistrate Macpherson was concerned with Milligan’s ability to complete the MERIT program but decided against imposing a sentence of imprisonment.

He handed Milligan a supervised 12-month community corrections order for the larceny charge with the condition of abstaining from drugs with the other matters being dealt with by way of a conditional release order with conviction for nine months.