Tahlia Kalotai, 25, from Woodridge in Beenleigh Court for stolen car

A Logan woman has faced court on charges of stealing a 2012 Audi then crashing it, as well as pocketing a stolen credit card.

Tahlia Siobhan Kalotai, 25, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court to unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

A Logan woman has faced court for stealing a 2012 Audi then crashing it badly, as well as pocketing a stolen credit card.

Tahlia Siobhan Kalotai, 25, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 15 to unlawful use of a motor vehicle and receiving tainted property.

The court heard that between December 5 and 25, the Woodridge woman and an unnamed male co-accused stole a 2012 Audi in Victoria Point.

The victim noticed her keys were missing from her handbag and reported it to police, but Kalotai had already done more than $15,000 worth of damage to the car, alongside the male driver, the court was told.

The court heard the victim’s insurance company paid out the damage, which totalled $15,189.

On December 26, 2023 police found the vehicle and a forensic examination uncovered Kalotai’s DNA on the stolen car, the court heard.

She was arrested by police and refused to cooperate with the officers.

The court also heard that on March 6, Kalotai was found with a credit card that was stolen from a home during a break and enter.

Defence lawyer Jim Coburn said his client was the passenger in the vehicle and was not driving when the damage was done to the car.

“Her offending has arisen mainly due to her association with others, she was the passenger in that motor vehicle,” he said.

“She has entered an early plea of guilty and I’m instructed she did not know the credit card was stolen.”

Magistrate Tracy Mossop said restitution could not be ordered for the victim due to Kalotai being behind bars.

“We’re all paying more for insurance because of matters like this, where funds can’t be recovered by people in prison,” she said.

“You hang out with criminals, you are a criminal and these are the consequences.”

The court heard Kalotai was on parole at the time of offending.

She was sentenced to nine months’ prison and will be eligible for parole on August 1.

Originally published as Tahlia Kalotai, 25, from Woodridge in Beenleigh Court for stolen car