Torri-Lee Messer, 25, was going ‘to the shops’ when she was busted driving a stolen car

A trip to the shops for milk and sugar for a cup of tea has proven very costly for a woman busted driving a stolen car with a number of bags that did not belong to her inside.

A woman with dishonesty offences on her criminal history has received a jail sentence after she was busted driving a stolen car “to the shops”.

Torri-Lee Messer, 25, pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 28, to unlawfully possessing a driver’s licence and credit card suspected of being stolen, unlicensed driving, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and failing to appear in court.

The court heard that just after noon on November 24, police were conducting patrols on Queen Street at Ayr when they intercepted Messer driving.

Messer told police officers she did not have a driver’s licence and she was driving to the shops to get milk and sugar for a cup of tea.

Police checks revealed that her Learner’s licence had expired in August, 2020.

In relation to the vehicle Messer was driving at the time, she told police she had purchased it from another person for $3000 but she could not provide a receipt for that.

Police Prosecutor Clancy Fox said officers noticed a number of bags inside the car, which Messer claimed were hers.

Mr Fox said a police search of those bags “clearly showed” the bags did not belong to Messer.

Torri-Lee Messer.

Police contacted the victim by phone and he said that he was in Victoria and he had left his vehicle parked at his residence in Leichhardt Street, Ayr, and the car keys were left inside the house.

Police also found Messer in possession of a man’s driver’s licence and credit card.

The court was told that Messer had numerous dishonesty offences on her five-page criminal history.

A solicitor said Messer was single with no children, and she had completed her schooling to Year 11 at Home Hill State High School.

“She instructs me that she hasn’t got permanent work on a full-time basis, however she does do some very casual work, she instructs me, in furniture making,” the solicitor said.

“I note the facts that have been read by the prosecution and Ms Messer’s provided me with similar instructions that she had purchased the vehicle and she took someone’s word for it, and she accepts that she did not make appropriate enquiries prior to purchasing that vehicle, and she is regretful for her actions.”

The solicitor said Messer’s family lived at Home Hill and Messer was based at Ayr.

Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead sentenced Messer to five months’ jail with immediate parole.

He also fined her $400.

There was no disqualification in relation to Messer’s driver’s licence.

Originally published as Torri-Lee Messer, 25, was going ‘to the shops’ when she was busted driving a stolen car