Khe Sanh Cox jailed for ‘crime spree’ but working on musical talent in jail

A woman who shares the same name as a popular Cold Chisel song has been jailed with victims saying they’ve been left with ongoing distress and heartbreak.

A woman who shares the same name as a popular 1970s Cold Chisel song has been jailed for her “heartless crime spree,” but will continue to work on her “musical talent” while in custody, a court has heard.

On Tuesday, Khe Sanh Shawna Cox learned her fate in the District Court after pleading guilty to over 70 charges arising from a “crime spree” between 2019 and 2021, including a high speed police chase.

In sentencing, Judge Joanne Tracey said Cox had offended against more than 20 people, leaving them “fearful and traumatised” to be in their own homes.

“There are 24 separate victims of your offending over this period, not including the police officers who were pursuing you and who were required to take evasive action in their vehicle to avoid a collision,” Judge Tracey said.

“The utter despair you’ve caused, shown through the victim impact statements, shows the devastating effects of your offending, and of offending of this kind.

“Not only have each of the victims suffered financial loss as a result of your offending, which given your incarceration you have been unable to repay, but treasured memories of items belonging to loved ones, has caused ongoing distress and heartbreak.

“The theft of a recording and images left by a partner and a mother who is now deceased, is heartbreaking to listen to, and there is no doubt at the time, you would have had little regard.”

Khe Sanh Cox cried as Judge Tracey read out her sentence. Picture: SAPOL

In August of 2021, Cox pleaded guilty to 77 charges, including serious criminal trespass, using a motor vehicle without consent, dishonestly dealing with property and engaging in a police pursuit.

Prosecutors told Judge Joanne Tracey that Cox had previous convictions dating back to 2019, but a large portion of the offending currently before the court had occurred between December 2020 and January 2021.

During that period, Cox broke into a number of homes, stealing treasured items from her victims and, in some circumstances, vehicles.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, one victim expressed his distress that Cox had stolen USBs containing his wife’s last messages to her daughter before passing away.

“I would like Cox to know that when she stole from me, she stole much more than just phones, USBs, memory cards and SD cards. She stole memories that can never be replaced,” he said in his statement.

“Also on the USB were video diaries made by (my fiance) documenting her health, messages to myself and our daughter, family and friends. Because of Ms Cox’s actions, these memories are lost forever in a heartless moment of greed.

“Now our daughter will never get to see or read the messages left behind for her by her mum.”

During sentencing, Judge Tracey said Cox had completed 15 courses while in custody, and had explored her “musical talent”.

“You have completed an intensive music workshop, with the hopes to, upon your release, pursue your musical talent,” she said.

“You are hopeful that you will be allowed the opportunity to show that you can still have a future and to earn society’s trust.”

She said Cox had written letters to her victims apologising for her crimes, and “in some cases, asked them for forgiveness.”

“You are remorseful, and you feel like you are constantly letting people down.”

Judge Tracey said she would adopt the principle of totality, and impose one head sentence for all of the offending.

She jailed Cox for eight years, with a non-parole period of six years, four months and 25 days.

That sentence was backdated to Cox’s arrest in January last year, meaning she will be eligible for parole in 2027.

Originally published as Khe Sanh Cox jailed for ‘crime spree’ but working on musical talent in jail