Kristian Roberts begs magistrate for freedom after stealing thousands

A pregnant Mildura druggie has begged a magistrate to let her out of jail, despite him being “certain” she’d continue thieving.

Kristian Roberts begged a magistrate to let her out of jail after stealing thousands.

A Mildura shoplifter who stole everything from scrap metal to nappies has been released from custody even after a magistrate said he was “certain” she would reoffend.

Over the last few months, Kristian Roberts, 30, went on a spree across Mildura, stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from shops including Big W, Intersport and Coles.

The police prosecutor told the court she and her partner stole a number of items from Big W totalling $682 in value.

On another occasion Roberts and another woman filled up a trolley with more than $400 worth of goods from Coles and walked out without attempting to pay.

However, the most significant offending was between June and July when Roberts traded in various items of scrap metal believed to be stolen from Wright’s Metal Recyclers for $1202 in cash.

On Monday, as Magistrate Michael Coghlan said he would send Roberts back to the cells overnight before sentencing her on Tuesday, the expectant mother pleaded with him not to.

“I’m begging you … I’m aware I’ve done wrong, this is really not the path I want to to go down, I want to take responsibility for my actions, that’s why I’ve pleaded guilty,” she said.

“I can’t stay here any longer, I’m in so much pain and I’m pregnant.”

However, Mr Coghlan still chose to send her back to jail for one more night due to her “significant reoffending”.

“This is not some simple matter of trying to get a couple of bucks together for a meal, it’s significant and consistent reoffending,” he said.

“I’ve got 15 occasions where she is charged with dishonesty, it’s thousands worth of items that are stolen which would indicate that there are more issues going on in relation to drugs.”

On Tuesday Roberts reappeared for a sentencing hearing, and despite Mr Coghlan being “certain” she would reoffend, he suggested she prove him wrong and let her out of custody.

“I’m certain you will use drugs again and you will appear back before the court, However, you can prove me wrong,” he said.

Roberts pleaded guilty to 15 counts of shoplifting but was let out after serving five days in jail and put on a community corrections order.