No bail for alleged aggravated burglar found vomiting in stranger’s family home
A woman was discovered throwing up in the home of a family she didn’t know after they heard strange noises late one night. Police allege she’d been on a drug bender and her excuse for breaking in was “a bizarre story”.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
An alleged aggravated burglar who police say was delusional on drugs when she was found vomiting in a stranger’s toilet has been denied bail.
Ashleigh Macdonald allegedly told cops she had broken into the stranger’s house looking for her handbag which she said had been stolen and dumped there.
The Mornington 30-year-old appeared at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday to apply for bail.
She had been arrested earlier that morning and charged with aggravated burglary.
She was also on bail at the time for allegedly stealing car tyres in December last year.
Frankston CIU detective Senior-Constable Mark Garrett told the court a woman was in her Mornington bed abut 11.45pm on April 16 when she heard someone dry-retching in the toilet.
The mum went to the bathroom and the alleged intruder said she was “looking for Jessica” – nobody at the house has that name – and walked out via the laundry door.
The alleged aggravated burglar, who police believe was Ms Macdonald, had no shoes on and smudged make-up.
The mum then allegedly discovered her living room had been ransacked and her car had been searched and called police.
A few minutes later Ms Macdonald allegedly returned to the house and said she was “looking for her handbag”.
Officers arrived and allegedly found a handbag with ID belonging to Ms Macdonald inside the mum’s car, as well as beige shoes and socks.
When she was arrested Ms Macdonald said she went to the house to find her bag, which had her shoes inside, that had been stolen by two unknown men and dumped there.
Ms Macdonald was on bail at the time for crimes allegedly committed in December including stealing four tyres worth $640 from a Mornington auto store as well as driving while disqualified.
Sen-Constable Garrett told the court the family was traumatised by the alleged incident and police held serious concerns that Ms Macdonald would reoffend.
He said she maintained her “bizarre story” and had told police she was “on a drug bender” at the time and he was concerned that she could easily return to substance abuse.
Ms Macdonald represented herself in court, saying she had been clean before relapsing last night.
“Honestly I have been trying,” Ms Macdonald said.
“I had too much medication (prescription) and used drugs, I was stupid. Last night I had GHB and a little bit of ice, but I had been clean before that.”
MORE COURT NEWS
FOUR TIMES OVER DRINK DRIVER WAS WAITING ON TINDER DATE
DRUG DEALER EXCUSES: STRIPPER, BAR-STUFFER, DFO, PARK PARTY
DRUGGIE THREATENED TO STAB DOCTOR WITH OYSTER KNIFE
Magistrate Charles Tan said while he accepted she was trying to rebuild her life, he was concerned about the seriousness of the charges and her reliance on illicit substances.
“I am sceptical about the state of your current drug use,” Mr Tan said.
“I have a responsibility to protect the community.”
Bail was refused and Ms Macdonald was remanded to face court again on April 27.