Roberta William’s sister denies raiding suitcases at Melbourne Airport

The sister of gangland widow Roberta Williams has vowed to fight charges of stealing people’s suitcases from carousels at Melbourne Airport during a strange court appearance today.

Michelle Kaye Mercieca, outside Broadmeadows Magistrates Court over alleged Melbourne Airport baggage theft. Picture: Tony Gough

The sister of gangland widow Roberta Williams has labelled police “thieves” and floated the idea of writing a tell-all book during a bizarre court appearance where she was accused of stealing more than $70,000 worth of luggage.

Michelle Mercieca fronted the Broadmeadows Magistrate Court this morning where she vowed to fight the theft charges, yelling she “wasn’t going to stand for it”.

Police allege the 51-year-old pinched 19 suitcases worth an estimated $70,330 off luggage carousels at Melbourne airport between October 2017 and September 2018.

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The court heard Ms Mercieca was captured on airport CCTV on numerous occasions parking her car in the short-term carpark and taking multiple cases from the Virgin, Jetstar and Qantas terminals.

Michelle Mercieca today outside court. Picture: Tony Gough

Ms Merceica with sister Roberta in 2004.

But her lawyer Hugo Moodie argued the vision was “blurry” and in some instances there was no footage linking her to the airport at all.

Several suitcases were allegedly recovered at her King Park home during a police raid in September last year, as well as children’s clothing and a baby monitor which were said to belong to victims.

Magistrate Martin Grinberg labelled the offending as “nasty” and “selfish”.

“This would have had a horrendous impact on the victims,” Magistrate Grinberg said.

Mr Moodie asked Magistrate Grinberg for a sentencing indication — an estimate of what Ms Mercieca could face if she plead guilty — who said he would have difficulty not imposing some term of imprisonment given the total value allegedly stolen.

Michelle Mercieca fronted the Broadmeadows Magistrate Court and vowed to fight the charges Picture: Tony Gough

Mercieca floated the idea of writing a tell-all book during a bizarre court appearance. Picture: Tony Gough

Ms Mercieca with Roberta Williams and George Williams, father of Carl, in 2004.

Ms Mercieca interrupted her lawyer on several occasions during the brief hearing to profess her innocence, saying she would fight the changes and told the court she was an “empathetic person”.

“I have empathy, I understand how people feel, I would not do that,” she said.

Outside court she claimed “the police were corrupt” and she only spoke the truth.

“Maybe I should write a book and let youse all know,

“We’ll do a survey, should I write a book?” she asked the media pack.

Ms Mercieca will contest the charges during a two-day hearing in August where a large amount of CCTV is expected to be played.