Sunshine Magistrates’ Court: Delahey’s Jane Galea committed burglary at Deanside primary school and daycare

A Melbourne mother of five broke into a school and childcare centre stealing valuable items students rely upon for their education.

Mother of five, Jane Galea, 28 pleaded guilty to burglary and theft at a primary school and childcare centre in Melbourne’s west last October.

A drugged-up mum of five broke into a school and childcare centre in Melbourne’s west to steal electronic goods young students used in class.

Jane Galea pleaded guilty to burglary and two counts of theft at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on September 6.

The court heard that before 6.30am on October 16 2022, Galea broke into the office building of Deanside Primary School.

Police prosecutors said Galea went through drawers and rooms in the building before climbing a 1.5m wall to access classrooms.

The 28-year-old then stole an iPad, Apple Pencil, and a box of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) before walking to the neighbouring ‘Big Childcare’ and taking a Samsung tablet.

She was on bail at the time.

Police attended the scene a short time later and examined fingerprints which led them to the Delahey mum.

She told police she could not recall why she went to the primary school and that she no longer had any of the items.

Her lawyer Thea Casey conceded Galea made a terrible decision on the day but told Magistrate Cynthia Lynch that her upbringing had all the hallmarks of disadvantage and disruption.

She told the court about several traumatic events in Galea’s life, and said the 22 days of custody following her arrest were also difficult on the young mum.

Ms Casey said her client was using substances and was unemployed at the time of the offending but had worked hard to turn her life around and had enrolled in a university course.

The matter was adjourned to November 20 for sentencing.