Magistrate on serial thief: ‘How can someone like this be a nurse?’

A nursing graduate who ended up in court has had her career prospects questioned after the magistrate read through her criminal history.

A NURSING graduate with a criminal history of dishonesty offences including theft has had her career prospects questioned by a magistrate.

Magistrate Joan White said it would be a “risk” for Jessica Mary Sinclair to be hired as a nurse and feared she would offend against patients.

Sinclair, 34, who had previous convictions for stealing, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to a string of offences including theft and dishonestly gaining benefit for herself.

She stole another woman’s wallet from a changing room at a shop at Robina Shopping Centre on June 11 this year and then went on a shopping spree with the stranger’s cards.

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She spent $490.48 within an hour, the court was told.

“How can someone like this be a nurse?” Ms White said.

“People in hospitals have possessions and items and cards and money, and all sorts of things.

“You couldn’t have someone like this working in a hospital.

“It’s a huge risk.”

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Prosecutor Chris Freeman said Sinclair, a mother-of-two, was charged after a photo of her captured on CCTV was featured in the Bulletin and she was identified.

Sinclair’s purchases during the illegal shopping spree included shoes, pillows and food from a cafe.

Sinclair only stopped after the cards were cancelled by their owner and her transactions were unsuccessful.

The court was told Sinclair has recently completed her final units for a nursing degree.

Ms White ordered the Coomera woman to complete 12 months of probation and to repay the $490.48 she spent.