Kimberly Margaret Bronner in Dalby court for stealing pensioner’s cash at Tara Foodworks

A mother-of-three took it upon herself to steal money from an elderly woman’s purse while at a Western Down’s grocery store before buying cigarettes and alcohol. See what she had to say.

A woman who pinched a purse straight from an elderly woman’s grocery trolley as she was reading a community noticeboard at a supermarket has shared how she spent the victim’s money on alcohol and cigarettes.

Kimberly Margaret Bronner appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on November 7 for stealing hundreds of dollars from the 68-year-old victim.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said the 37-year-old thief entered Tara Foodworks on October 18 when she noticed a purse sitting in a grocery trolley at the front entrance of the store, only a few metres away from the victim who was reading the community noticeboard.

“(Bronner) pushed the trolley into the store with the purse, went down an aisle and put the victim’s purse inside her own to conceal it,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

The court was told the woman spent some of the $550 that was inside the purse on alcohol and tobacco.

“The victim was unaware it had been stolen, she thought she left it on the roof of her car or at home,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

“She questioned her memory and went home to search the house.

“The next day she went to the Tara Police Station and asked if anyone handed it in.”

Kimberly Margaret Bronner was sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court after stealing hundreds of dollars out of a pensioner's handbag. Picture: Facebook

From there, the court was told that police queried the employees at the supermarket and identified Bronner on CCTV picking up the purse and went to the woman’s home where they found the victim’s belongings and part of the money.

“It’s one thing for someone to steal money because they’re broke, on necessities but to buy alcohol and cigarettes which are clearly luxury items,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

“And the money is stolen from a pensioner which clearly exacerbates it.”

Defence lawyer Brad Skuse said the mother was financially struggling at the time and was “extremely embarrassed” for her actions.

Acting magistrate Andrew Walker labelled the crime as “opportunistic” and reminded the woman that cigarettes and alcohol were “discretionary” items.

“Everyone in your area has gone through hard times recently,” he said.

Bronner pleaded guilty to stealing.

She was fined $450 and ordered to pay compensation of the remaining $224 owed to the victim. No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Kimberly Margaret Bronner in Dalby court for stealing pensioner’s cash at Tara Foodworks