Ashley Louise Weeding, 35, stole Barbie items from Big W, Coles

A Queensland mum caught on a bus with enough Mattel merch to rival a Margot Robbie swag bag has appeared in court where her history of Barbie-themed crimes was revealed.

Ashley Louise Weeding, 35, stole Barbie items from Big W, Coles

Amid Barbie movie mania, a single mother of three was tracked down on a bus after stealing more than $400 of merchandise.

And it wasn’t the first time Ashley Louise Weeding, 35, stole Barbie items, Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard this week.

Police prosecutor Brandon Selic said Weeding stole $78.35 of Barbie clothing and toys from Big W on April 19 about 12.05pm.

He said the $78.35 of items stolen included track pants, a Barbie sweater, Barbie doll jacket, Barbie cream and Barbie leggings.

Two weeks later, Weeding stole four LED lights, a diffuser, bedding and a cushion from Big W with the total value being $127.24.

Seven months later, Weeding stole $407.10 of Barbie items from Coles including a Barbie quad, Barbie ride on, two Barbie dreamhouses, two Kodak disposable cameras, Barbie mini dolls, batteries and confectionary.

On all three occasions, Weeding paid for other less costly items before leaving the stores.

Her offending was captured on CCTV.

Mr Selic said on the last occasion, when police caught up with her on a bus, she claimed she had forgotten to pay for the other items after her children ran out of the store and she received a phone call at the same time.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said the mother of three was willing to pay restitution for the items stolen on the first two occasions (the items from the third were recovered).

The court heard Weeding had been placed on probation in December 2022 for stealing.

She pleaded guilty on January 23 to three counts of stealing and one of contravening police direction to provide identifying particulars.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert placed Weeding on another probation order for nine months, ordered she pay restitution for the first two offences and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Ashley Louise Weeding, 35, stole Barbie items from Big W, Coles