Kelly Webb, 36, charged with theft, drug, dishonesty charges, denied bail

A mother accused of involving children in a theft spree has been denied bail, after a magistrate said her alleged offending was becoming a “way of life”.

Kelly Webb appeared in Geelong Magistrates Court on 32 charges, largely concerning thefts and committing offences while on bail.

A mother accused of involving children in a theft spree has been denied bail, after a magistrate said her alleged offending was becoming a “way of life”.

Kelly Webb, 36, of no fixed address, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court via videolink on Friday to asked the magistrate to release her from custody.

Webb faces 32 charges, including burglary, three counts of ordinary theft, nine counts of shop theft, theft of a motor vehicle and four counts of possessing drugs including ice.

The charges also include possessing counterfeit money, five counts of committing indictable offences while on bail, two counts of failing to answer bail, retaining stolen goods, negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime and driving while suspended.

Police prosecutor Rebecca Gerdson told the court that on August 4, Ms Webb and a co-accused allegedly broke into a Breakwater home, stealing jewellery, a laptop, an iPhone, iPad and tools. The court heard Ms Webb’s health “deteriorated” in police custody due to “substances (ingested) prior to her arrest”.

She was hospitalised but discharged herself “shortly after police left”, Ms Gerdson said.

In another instance, the court was told Ms Webb allegedly went into a staff-only area of Waurn Ponds takeaway shop and rifled through employees’ bags, stealing an “unknown amount” of cash.

She was identified after accidentally leaving her Medicare card in one of the backpacks, Ms Gerdson alleged.

Ms Webb and two co-accused, a 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man, allegedly stole $508 of items from Belmont Kmart on March 1.
The court heard that during the shoplifting, Ms Webb’s seven-year-old daughter was sitting in the trolley.

Upon her arrest, the court heard Ms Webb was searched and a small ziplock bag containing a “white, crystal substance” was discovered, along with a counterfeit $100 note.

In January this year, Ms Webb allegedly stole items from Highton APCO, along with a child and a female co-accused.

The court heard Ms Webb allowed the child to select items including flowers and a teddy bear, while the co-accused distracted the attendant, before all three left without paying.

Ms Webb’s lawyer, Caitlin Wells-Simon, told the court her client faced exceptional circumstances and “hardship” due to her citizenship.

“Ms Webb is a British citizen … something which has caused all sorts of issues,” Ms Wells-Simon said.

Ms Wells-Simon said her client had been able to secure short-term housing in Dandenong and wished to get out of the Geelong region if released.

However, Magistrate Franz Holzer was unmoved and denied Ms Webb’s bail application due to an alleged risk of reoffending.

Mr Holzer said Ms Webb’s alleged offences were “continuing”, “evasive” and the involvement of children in some of the accused robberies showed a level of premeditation.

Mr Holzer said he had the impression theft was almost becoming a “way of life” for Ms Webb.

“Individually it might be minor, but taken as a whole … it’s troubling behaviour,” he said.
“Ms Webb might be in danger of becoming institutionalised.”

Ms Webb will return to court on November 7 for a contest mention.

Originally published as Kelly Webb, 36, charged with theft, drug, dishonesty charges, denied bail