Stolen cars allegedly driven to Gladstone ‘in convoy’

A young mum who allegedly committed stolen car offences up the Queensland coast from Brisbane to Gladstone was already on bail for a “significant amount” of charges.

Stella Jean Olm, 24, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on February 27 where her bail application was heard.Â

A young woman facing a “significant amount” of charges including multiple counts of alleged vehicle theft, has made a bid for freedom in a Central Queensland court.

Stella Jean Olm, 24, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on February 27 where her bail application was heard.

Ms Olm was charged with four offences - two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle, stealing and breaching bail.

The prosecution opposed bail, detailing some of Ms Olm’s recent alleged offending.

“The defendant has borrowed the car off that (man), he’s withdrawn the permission, she has failed to return the car - instead telling him he wasn’t getting it back,” the police prosecutor said.

“She has picked up (two other people) and has kept the car - driven it around Brisbane on the 22nd and 23rd, and then they’ve driven the stolen vehicle to Banyo where they’ve stolen fuel from Coles Express there.

“They’ve then gone to Gin Gin where they’ve stolen another vehicle, and the defendant has driven the original stolen vehicle in convoy with the other two co-defendants, back to Gladstone.”

Solicitor Rio Ramos said Ms Olm was in a show cause position having allegedly committed offences against the Bail Act.

Ms Ramos said Ms Olm had three children, was in a de facto relationship, and was on bail for other charges prior to these fresh charges.

“The only reason why I’m submitting for bail, Your Honour, is because of her age,” Ms Ramos said.

“She’s 24 years of age, Your Honour, and she’s also got a lack of criminal history - it’s two pages, going onto three.”

Ms Ramos submitted it would be unjustified to make Ms Olm spend significant time in custody pending the resolution of her charges, and she further submitted conditions could be put on her client’s bail.

In relation to Ms Olm’s history, the prosecution said she was currently on bail for “dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, enter premises and commit (x 2), unlawful use of a motor vehicle (x 3), arson, enter premises with intent to commit (x 2), attempted enter premises with intent to commit, stealing (x 3), receiving (x 2), fraud (x 5), unlicensed (x 2), possess dangerous drugs, possess utensil and an enter dwelling with intent in company.”

The prosecution said that was a “significant amount” of charges.

“Despite being on strict bail conditions, and with the number of extremely serious offences before the court... she has continued to commit property type offences,” the police prosecutor said.

“And with respect to strength of evidence, Your Honour, a majority of the (alleged) offending is on CCTV at varying locations clearly depicting the defendant involved in these (alleged) offences.”

The prosecution submitted the case was “strong” and the biggest concern was Ms Olm was an unacceptable risk of committing further offences if released on bail.

Acting Magistrate Mary Buchanan found Ms Olm had not shown cause and deemed her a risk of committing further offences if released.

Bail was refused and Ms Olm was remanded in custody.

Her matters were adjourned to a Brisbane court for mention on March 15.

Originally published as Stolen cars allegedly driven to Gladstone ‘in convoy’