Ingham woman May Idai guilty to stealing, fraud charges

A North Queensland woman racked up more than $1700 on alcohol, cigarettes and cab fares after finding a dropped credit card, a court was told.

May Diana Idai outside the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 28. Picture: Cameron Bates

A North Queensland woman racked up more than $1700 on alcohol, cigarettes and cab fares after finding a dropped credit card, a court was told.

May Diana Idai, 47, pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday to stealing and 11 fraud charges from offending in mid-2023.

Queensland Police Service (QPS) prosecutor Danny Burke said Idai used the 69-year-old victim’s card to purchase goods totalling $1763.56, which was still owed to the Commonwealth Bank.

“The stealing isn’t a necessity, it’s cigarettes (and) alcohol.”

Mr Burke said that although Idai, a long-term Ingham resident, had a significant history of public nuisance offences, she had no prior convictions for fraud or stealing.

He urged a significant fine and reparation.

Defence lawyer Margaret Crowther said the offending was opportunistic and she had cooperated with police after she was arrested.

“With the card that she found, she should have handed it in, she accepts that.”

She said her client was willing to repay the stolen money.

Idai was convicted, fined $700 and ordered to pay reparation to Commonwealth Bank.

Originally published as Ingham woman May Idai guilty to stealing, fraud charges