Alicia Jill Mcdonald pleads guilty to fraud in Gympie District Court

A judge has told a Gympie court she believes a pregnant fraudster wrongly assumes she’s going to be let off without jail time amid talk of whether the baby could be born behind bars.

Alicia Jill Mcdonald pleaded guilty to charges of fraud at Gympie District Court on May 11, 2023.

A pregnant woman appeared before Gympie District Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud, with one count coming to at least $100,000.

In the court, dressed in full black, pregnant Alicia Jill Mcdonald walked slowly into the dock before pleading guilty to the charges.

Tom Quilty Gold Cup horse ride returns to Imbil State Forest

Alicia Jill Mcdonald pleaded guilty to charges of fraud at Gympie District Court on May 11, 2023.

The court heard how between March 22, 2018 and January 30, 2019, Mcdonald was charged with one count of fraud of procuring at least $100,000 for herself and between January 9 – May 25, 2019 was charged with another count of fraud.

Judge Katherine McGinness told the court the sentence would end in a term of imprisonment of “up to 18 months”.

“I just get the feeling I’m not sure she knows she’s going to jail or she just thinks I’m going to let her out,” Judge McGinness said.

She pointed out that while Mcdonald could have the child in jail there did not appear to be a plan for who would then take care of the child.

After speaking to her defence lawyer, Jacob Pruden, Mcdonald requested an adjournment.

Judge McGinness agreed and the matter was adjourned until October 9, 2023.

Originally published as Alicia Jill Mcdonald pleads guilty to fraud in Gympie District Court