April Cooper in court for breaking-in and robbing Twin Waters resort

A former aged care worker and mother of three who broke into five guest rooms at Twin Waters, used the showers and beds, and stole a range of items, has avoided spending Christmas in jail.

A Gympie woman who broke into and stole from more than one room at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort at Twin Waters has been given a two year suspended jail sentence.

A Gympie aged care worker who broke into five rooms and stole at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort at Twin Waters has been given a two year suspended jail sentence.

April Cooper, 33, pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court to 17 charges, including breaking into the resort rooms and stealing items from guests.

She illegally entered multiple unoccupied rooms, the court heard, used the showers and beds, and stole a range of items which included a laptop, a motorbike key, shoes, perfume, towels, and bedding.

She was seen by Novotel staff who called the police who later found her leaving the scene in her vehicle full of stolen items.

She told police she had “no knowledge” of the crimes, the court heard.

A Gympie aged care worker who broke into five rooms and stole at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort at Twin Waters has been given a two year suspended jail sentence.

When arrested, she said she was homeless and looking for a place to stay the night, but police prosecutor Allison Johnston said “entering multiple rooms is not looking for a place to stay” and that she “intentionally stole property and was later caught”.

“A period of imprisonment is warranted.”

Other offences Cooper was convicted of included driving under the influence of drugs, drug possession, having drug paraphernalia, obstructing police, failing to meet bail conditions, and stealing fuel, a purse, and cosmetics.

The dates of the offences ranged from December 2023 to the day she was incarcerated, on October 19, 2024.

The court heard Cooper had a criminal record dating back to 2009, with a history of fraud and other drug offences, with the prosecution describing the nature of her charges as “significant and brazen” which was “escalating”.

Defence lawyer Kristie Koo told the court Cooper was born in New South Wales, left school in Year 8, moved to Gympie in 2020, left a partner of 16 years due to ongoing domestic violence, and was abused as a child.

Due to the many troubles she had faced in life, she had a problem with abusing marijuana and methamphetamine, she said.

April Cooper has a criminal records dating back to 2009, with a history of fraud and other drug offences, with the prosecution describing the nature of her charges as “significant and brazen” which is “escalating”.

Cooper had three young children, had worked in aged care for many years,and was now studying a Bachelor in Social Work to help disadvantaged children.

She was “grateful” to be caught as she has been sober, received the right medications to help her, and felt “stupid” and “really remorseful” for her actions, Ms Koo said.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes had placed Cooper on 12 months probation in February 2024.

“You have a great capacity to help people,” Mr Hughes said.

“What you’ve done, why you’re before me today, is the exact opposite of that.

“There are two victims: the people whose belongings you stole and violated their privacy, and the business itself. People are no longer confident to stay there.

“Time’s ticking, Ms Cooper. You don’t need the bad men. You already have what you need within you.”

Cooper was given a two year suspended jail sentence and released immediately after having spent 59 days in custody.

She was also disqualified from driving for three months.

Originally published as April Cooper in court for breaking-in and robbing Twin Waters resort