Cindy Noffke sentenced for Yaralla Sports Club car theft

A mother-of-three stole a Mitsubishi Triton from a couple playing poker machines at a Central Queensland club, but then in an ironic twist she had the vehicle ‘stolen’ from her.

People playing poker machines. Generic image.

A Central Queensland mum has been sentenced for two bizarre thefts, with a court hearing details of both as she sat in custody.

Cindy Lee Noffke, 38, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where she pleaded guilty to charges including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving, public nuisance, and stealing.

The court heard about 2.15am on May 10, Noffke went to Yaralla Sports Club with a woman and her partner.

The couple went into the club to play the pokies and Noffke told them she would wait in the car while they did this.

The vehicle, a Mitsubishi Triton, belonged to the other woman.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said the woman allowed Noffke to wait in the car and gave her the car keys.

Ms Leach said when the woman came out of the club for a smoke and to check on Noffke about 3am she saw Noffke and the car were gone.

“The (woman) made numerous attempts to contact (Noffke) without any success,” Ms Leach said.

The woman then reported the vehicle stolen.

The court heard that seven days later, the woman received a handwritten apology letter from Noffke.

A week later, the woman found her Triton in Gladstone Central.

When questioned by police, Noffke said she thought she had permission from the woman to use the vehicle.

“(Noffke) admitted to driving away from the club and drove to a friend’s house,” Ms Leach said.

“(Noffke) stated that she then drove to the NightOwl centre... where the car was stolen from her.”

Gladstone Courthouse.

Police checks revealed Noffke should not have been driving anyway as her licence was court disqualified.

Then about 3.30pm on June 1, Noffke went to Chemist Warehouse on Dawson Highway.

Ms Leach said staff recognised Noffke and began to watch her on CCTV.

“(Noffke) was observed being suspicious,” Ms Leach said.

The court heard Noffke then approached the front counter where she placed her selected items.

She then walked towards the store’s exit without making a purchase.

Noffke exited and that set off the store’s security alarm.

A staff member challenged Noffke and asked to look in her handbag.

Ms Leach said Noffke became upset at this and emptied the contents of her handbag on the ground at the entrance to the store.

She then started swearing at the staff member.

“(Noffke’s) behaviour prevented members of the public from entering or leaving the business,” Ms Leach said.

Staff called police and when Noffke realised this, she picked up all of her belongings and walked back into the store.

When back inside, she grabbed a Braun Series 3 electric shaver and trimmer for men, valued at $119.91, put it in her handbag and left without paying.

Noffke had a nine-page criminal history and a five-page traffic history - the former “littered with” drug and property offences.

The court heard Noffke had a history of problems with methamphetamine, cannabis and alcohol.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Noffke, a mother of three who was currently pregnant, had recently secured accommodation having previously been homeless.

On August 14, Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Noffke to seven months’ jail, declared one day pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed immediate parole eligibility.

She was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Cindy Noffke sentenced for Yaralla Sports Club car theft