Serial thief Monique Grace Fisher pleads guilty to 26 charges in Rockhampton Magistrates Court

A Rockhampton mother of five has been given a final chance to stay out of jail after pleading guilty to 26 criminal offences. Here’s why she’s on incredibly thin ice.

The drug ice is not the only worry for a Rockhampton mother of five and serial thief who is on incredibly thin ice to remain in the community.

Monique Grace Fisher’s predicament was laid bare in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 9 where she pleaded guilty to 26 charges including multiple counts of stealing as well as drugs offences, assaulting police and public nuisance.

The 26-year-old appeared in court in custody where the details of her crimes were heard.

The court was told that before this string of 26 offences, Fisher had nine offences on her history.

Among her latest offending was an incident at a Target store at City Centre Plaza, Rockhampton, on the morning of March 28.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said Fisher entered the store and walked around for about 20 minutes, filling a basket with clothing, jewellery and electronics, valued at $217.

Ms Bain said Fisher then put the items in a duffel bag and ran out a fire escape at the store.

On July 1, police were patrolling North Rockhampton’s Elphinstone Street about 9pm when they saw Fisher running in the middle of the road.

Ms Bain said Fisher ran towards the police vehicle shouting “Come at me c---s, let’s go.”

Ms Bain said Fisher took up a fighting stance.

Police officers saw that Fisher was affected by alcohol.

Monique Grace Fisher.

Ms Bain said while police searched Fisher, she kicked two officers in their legs, and then spat at one of them which landed on his face.

On the same day, Fisher entered a BWS store at Northside Plaza and stole a 1 litre bottle of Bundaberg Rum, a bottle of Jim Beam and a bottle of Johnnie Walker - all valued at $54 each.

Also on that day, Fisher went into a Liquorland store on Yaamba Road with two other women.

Ms Bain said one of the women distracted a staff member while Fisher and the other woman stole two bottles of rum and a bottle of Jim Beam.

On July 17, police found Fisher and a man loitering at the front of a Foodworks store on Main Street.

Police spoke with Fisher and she made admissions about illicit drug use.

During a search, officers found a clip-seal bag in Fisher’s bra which contained less than 1g of methamphetamine, and also in her bra was a knife that Fisher said she carried for protection.

In Fisher’s backpack, police found a glass pipe which had been used to smoke meth.

The court also heard about other incidents where Fisher stole a man’s wallet which contained $100 cash and cards at Rocky Sports Club, and $150 worth of groceries from a Rockhampton Woolworths store.

Solicitor Rebecca Winning said Fisher was a mother of five who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Ms Winning said Fisher lived in the North Rockhampton suburb of Koongal and she was an ice user who had received the benefit of probation in the past.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale sentenced Fisher to six months’ jail, wholly suspended for 12 months, placed her on probation for 12 months and ordered she perform 40 hours of unpaid community service.

Ms Beckinsale also fined Fisher $300, made restitution orders, and disqualified Fisher from driving for one month.

After handing down those penalties, the magistrate told Fisher that she had been “out of control” during the period of her offending and gave her some important advice.

“This is your last chance to be in the community, in my view,” Ms Beckinsale said.

“If you now breach any of those orders, you will find yourself back in custody.”

Originally published as Serial thief Monique Grace Fisher pleads guilty to 26 charges in Rockhampton Magistrates Court