Jessica Kathleen Todd was charged with stealing and possessing dangerous drugs

A woman charged with stealing hundreds of dollars' worth of groceries claims she failed to appear in court because she had been unwell.

Jessica Kathleen Todd appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court charged with stealing.

A woman who was taken into custody after she failed to appear in court claimed Covid-19 and a chest infection had prevented her from attending.

Jessica Kathleen Todd appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court charged with two counts of stealing after a previous conviction, failing to take precautions when disposing of a syringe or needle, possessing dangerous drugs, breaching a bail condition and failing to appear in court.

Defence lawyer Morgan Harris said Ms Todd intended to show cause for her failure to appear.

He said she had told the arresting officers that she had been diagnosed with Covid in late February and had then been diagnosed with a chest infection. She also said she had a medical certificate from an online doctor.

Mr Harris said the person the medical certificate was currently with was not available “at this stage”.

Magistrate John Milburn said he was minded to adjourn the hearing regarding the failure to appear to give Ms Todd the chance to produce the medical certificate.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Sonia Edwards said Ms Todd had been located about 11.15pm on Wednesday night in the Tinana Hotel area.

She said at that time she told officers she had Covid-19 and had been unable to attend court.

Jessica Kathleen Todd appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court charged with stealing.

Sgt Edwards said there was an objection to bail.

Mr Harris said at this stage Ms Todd was unable to recall the phone number of the friend who had the medical certificate.

He said if she was refused bail it would be difficult to defend the charge without access to the medical certificate.

Mr Harris said Ms Todd intended to live at the Riverview Motel and that she was currently receiving Centrelink payments.

He said her issues throughout her life had been the use of meth and she had been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

The court was told she had turned to ice to self-medicate in relation to her mental health and she was waiting to see a psychiatrist to formulate a mental health care plan.

Mr Harris said she had been doing “quite well” before an incident last year led to her returning to ice use.

He said Ms Todd would comply with any bail conditions the court put in place.

Sgt Edwards said one of the matters Ms Todd would be contesting was in relation to her allegedly stealing $375 worth of grocery items from Woolworths Urangan.

The second stealing charge related to the alleged theft of groceries worth $128.

Sgt Edwards described Ms Todd as having an “atrocious history” for failing to appear and breaching bail.

Mr Milburn said he would allow bail with the additional condition that Ms Todd not attend Woolworths Urangan.

The matter was adjourned until March 10.

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Originally published as Jessica Kathleen Todd was charged with stealing and possessing dangerous drugs