Bundaberg mother sentenced after theft spree blaming domestic violence struggles

A Bundaberg mother of four has been sentenced after a series of thefts including stealing more than $2k of power tools and appliances from Bunnings.

A Bundaberg mother struggling with the fallout of a tumultuous and abusive relationship was sentenced to probation and community service after a theft spree.

A Bundaberg mother has been sentenced to probation and community service after a theft spree.

On Monday, September 2, Abby Louise McCracken appeared via video link in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court facing charges of stealing, breach of bail conditions and entering premises to commit an indictable offence by break.

McCracken pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and 60 hours of community service.

Police prosecutor Donna Sperling told the court of several theft incidents involving McCracken.

On August 19, she stole groceries from Woolworths Bargara, valued about $700.

Sergeant Sperling said that McCracken was confronted by a staff member while unloading the stolen goods into her car and was seen meeting two accomplices outside the store.

On July 2, 2024, just a day after being sentenced for previous offences, McCracken and a person stole up to $200 of household goods from The Reject Shop.

Earlier, on June 16, she had stolen $31 worth of biscuits and cookies from Everfresh supermarket, concealing the items in her handbag.

On August 27, 2024, she stole power tools and appliances “valued at $2813” from Bunnings, Sergeant Sperling said.

Abby McCracken was found guilty of stealing power tools and appliances valued at over $2800 from Bunnings. Picture: David Mariuz

Sergeant Sperling told the court of the seriousness of the thefts, noting that McCracken’s previous convictions and the high monetary value of her recent thefts warranted a stronger deterrent.

She questioned the sudden escalation in McCracken’s criminal behaviour saying “this is happening too quickly”.

In her defence, McCracken’s legal representative Lavonda Maloy described McCracken’s background and current circumstances.

Born and raised in Bundaberg, McCracken had worked in various fields and previously owned a cleaning business.

She is currently on government family tax benefits, and her four children have not lived with her for the past three weeks.

Ms Maloy highlighted McCracken’s desire to re-establish her cleaning business and her efforts to get her life back on track, with support from her parents who travelled from Victoria.

Maloy also mentioned that McCracken’s criminal behaviour was influenced by another person at the time.

“She found herself participating in offences where she would have otherwise used better judgement as a result of a desire to please this individual,” Ms Maloy said.

Acting Magistrate Stephen Guttridge took these factors into consideration when sentencing McCracken to 12 months’ probation and 60 hours of community service, reflecting both her early guilty pleas and efforts to address her personal challenges.

Originally published as Bundaberg mother sentenced after theft spree blaming domestic violence struggles