Rachael Stam: ‘Free spirit’ love affair led to rare coin burglary
A mum who had a dalliance with a drug-using muso ended up in court after breaking into an empty house to steal stuff to buy ice.
South East
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A woman who embarked on a relationship with a “free spirit” lover after she left her stressful job turned to drugs and crime, a court has heard.
Rachael Maree Stam, also known as Rachael McLaren, and her beau burgled a property next to his mum’s Dromana house while the homeowners were away.
She took coins valued at $2000 from tins in the victim’s bedroom, but left behind her fingerprints.
Stam and the co-accused then onsold the items they stole and used the cash to buy drugs.
The 42-year-old Rye mother of four pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The court heard a 77-year-old Dromana homeowner went on holiday on December 6, 2019, only to return nine days later to find the house had been burgled.
As well as tins containing $2000 worth of rare coins, expensive carved figurines, linen, prescription medication and books worth a total of $18,000 had also been taken.
The victim’s neighbour suspected the thieves were her son and Stam, and they were later arrested.
Stam didn’t admit the theft, but the man said they used the proceeds of the burglary to buy drugs.
She was only charged with burglary and stealing the coins, not the other items taken in the theft.
Defence lawyer Richard Jakobson said the former bookkeeper met a man who she described as a “free spirit” and began a relationship with him.
He said he introduced her to drugs and she “went into a dark hole”.
“She’s not proud of what she has done, she felt horrible about it,” he said.
He said his client, who had never been to court before, had made significant efforts to rehabilitate herself with mental health and drug counselling, and was extremely remorseful.
Magistrate Richard Pithouse said Stam would be wise to stay away from ice, and keep clear of the man.
“This is her first appearance (in court), hopefully her only appearance,” Mr Pithouse said.
“She would not want to have a relapse, to get back into the drugs again.
“(The consequences) would be somewhat dreadful.”
Stam was placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond with a condition she pay $1000 to the court fund.
She was also ordered to repay $2000 to the victim.
