‘Broken her spirit’: Elderly woman targeted in alleged Brisbane jewellery heist

An elderly Brisbane woman’s life has been turned upside down after a man meant to be helping her allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of her precious jewellery.

Simone Barnett with her mum, Desley Strik, 82, who is heartbroken after her jewellery was allegedly stolen by a man they knew. Photo: Steve Pohlner

An elderly woman’s life has been turned upside down after a man meant to be helping her allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of her precious and irreplaceable jewellery after she suffered a brain aneurysm.

Brisbane woman Desley Strik, 82, is completely heartbroken after police allege a family friend, Justin Wynyard Phillips, stole multiple sentimental pieces of jewellery from her Carindale home over several months last year.

Phillips, 52, has been charged with multiple counts of fraud, stealing, and enter dwelling with intent, after police allege he stole the items and sold them off.

Ms Strik’s devastated daughter, Simone Barnett, said her sick mother was a shadow of her former self since the shocking incident.

“My mother is a 82-year-old vulnerable woman in a wheelchair who has already suffered so much,” Ms Barnett said.

“The grief and stress have deeply impacted her health. The thought of her priceless jewellery being gone forever has broken her spirit.

“As for me, I am barely able to function. The emotional and psychological toll of this has been unbearable. I can hardly speak without breaking down in tears.”

In December, 2023, Ms Strik suffered a brain aneurysm, a stroke and a brain bleed – changing her life forever.

Simone Barnett in the room where the jewellery was allegedly stolen. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Once a fit and healthy woman, Ms Strik spent the next six months in hospital, at times wishing she would die.

“Prior to this, she was a fit and healthy woman, the most beautiful and kind-hearted person you could ever meet,” Ms Barnett said.

Eventually, Ms Strik was able to go home with her daughter to her Carindale home.

She was now confined to a wheelchair and struggling to adjust to her new life.

Ms Barnett said it was during this difficult time when Phillips – from Kallangur – allegedly offered to help move some of their belongings into safekeeping.

Police will allege the items were stolen by Phillips between March and December last year.

It wasn’t until earlier this year that Ms Barnett realised her and her mother’s jewellery was gone, and she reported it to police.

“I had mum’s other precious jewels and gold bullion hidden away. It was all gone.”

Ms Barnett said some of the allegedly stolen jewellery was precious heirlooms Ms Strik had intended to pass down to her granddaughter and loved ones.

Phillips was arrested by police in April, and charged with three counts of fraud, two counts of stealing, and one count of enter dwelling with intent.

His matters return to Brisbane Magistrate Court on April 22.

Ms Barnett said it was important her mother’s story was heard.

“We will not stop fighting for justice.

“What (allegedly) happened to her should never happen to anyone else.”

Originally published as ‘Broken her spirit’: Elderly woman targeted in alleged Brisbane jewellery heist