Hatton Vale IGA worker Samantha Ellen Payne, Borallon, faces Ipswich court for stealing groceries

A Borallon IGA worker has faced a southeast Queensland court for stealing goods while on the job — five times in one week — because her partner did not like spending money.

Samantha Ellen Payne, 29, leaving Ipswich Court on January 25. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A Somerset mum told a court she stole groceries from the IGA where she worked because her partner “did not like spending money”.

Borallon mum Samantha Ellen Payne, 29, pleaded guilty on January 25 to five counts of stealing by clerks or servants.

The Ipswich Magistrates Court heard she stole groceries on five occasions from IGA in Hatton Vale, where she had been working at the time.

The thefts, totalling $388.77, occurred in just one week last year.

She stole items three days in a row from August 4 to 6 and then again on August 11, the court was told.

Police prosecutor Amanda Renton said a man was also involved in the stealing but he was not being investigated for any wrongdoing.

“The offences were planned and executed with the same male person on each occasion,” she said.

Ms Renton said Payne had four previous dishonesty offences in her criminal history but noted they were eight years ago.

They included selling a non-existent iPhone via an online site. She blocked the victim as soon as they paid her.

Payne was fined and received 12 months’ probation for the offences.

Ms Renton said Payne used a male co-offender for three of those matters. It was not known if it was the same man involved in the current matter.

Defence lawyer Richard Zande said his client had two children and no driver’s licence which made it difficult for her to seek work.

He said Payne had been in an abusive relationship at the time of her latest offending and her partner “did not like spending money”.

“She has been extremely remorseful for what she did,” Mr Zande said.

Magistrate Jason Schubert said Payne’s offending breached the trust placed in her by her employer.

He sentenced her to 12 months’ probation. Convictions were recorded.

Payne was also ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid community service.

Originally published as Hatton Vale IGA worker Samantha Ellen Payne, Borallon, faces Ipswich court for stealing groceries