Shona Winsor: Albury woman steals dead man’s treasured mementos

A recovering ice addict broke into a Table Top home and stole treasured mementos belonging to the property owner’s dead relative, a court has heard.

Shona Winsor.

A recovering Albury ice addict broke into a Table Top home and stole treasured mementos belonging to the property owner’s dead relative, a court has heard.

Shona Winsor, 42, pleaded guilty to stealing property in a dwelling-house, and entering enclosed land without lawful excuse in Albury Local Court.

The court heard police caught Winson breaking into the property about 4.30am on June 7, 2021 after a nearby resident noticed her going into the property.

Police said Winsor and two other people parked their getaway car outside the gate before breaking into the main residence and surrounding buildings.

Winson stole treasured sea shells belonging to an uncle of the property owner who had died.

When police asked her about the shells, she said she found them in the main residence.

She was arrested and taken to Albury police station.

Winsor’s defence solicitor Tim Hemsley said his client, a recovering ice addict, had been doing well.

“She had difficulties with drugs in the past, but she no longer uses ice,” Mr Hemsley said.

“She smokes cannabis occasionally as a step down from a more serious drug.”

He said Winsor had been receiving drug counselling and was having regular visits with her three children who live with their father.

“She is a qualified beauty therapist and hopes to start her own small business,” Mr Hemsley said.

He said Winsor went to the dwelling with a group of others, and knew she shouldn’t have been there.

“She only took a small number of sea shells which were in her pockets,” he said.

Magistrate Richard Funston said he could see Winsor was doing well, and was willing to give her a chance.

Winsor was convicted and sentenced to a six months good behaviour bond.