Tammy Lee Malcolm sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for stealing

A woman, who was both homeless and an alcoholic, stole four bottles of liquor from the upstairs bar at the Heritage Hotel in Rockhampton, as well as a set of car keys from one of the rooms of the hotel. Here’s what happened in court.

A woman, who was both homeless and an alcoholic, stole four bottles of liquor from the upstairs bar at the Heritage Hotel in Rockhampton, as well as a set of car keys from one of the rooms of the hotel.

Tammy Lee Malcolm, 34, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 11 to one count each of contravene requirement of community based order, possessing dangerous drugs, enter dwelling with intent by break, stealing and failure to appear in accordance with undertaking.

Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said Malcolm was arrested outside Stockland Gladstone Shopping Centre on January 17 about 4pm and that police found a clip seal bag containing 0.12g of marijuana on her during a pat down search at the watch house.

Ms Butler said Malcolm was granted bail.

The Heritage Hotel in Rockhampton. Picture: Chris Ison

She said Malcolm stole four bottles of alcohol from the upstairs bar at the Heritage Hotel in Rockhampton on February 26 about 2pm.

The alcohol that was stolen included 1 litre bottles of Bundaberg Rum, vodka, Jim Beam Bourbon and Grey Goose Vodka.

She said Malcolm then forced open a window to one of the rooms in the hotel and stole a set of Volkswagen car keys.

She said police were called and Malcolm could not provide police with the stolen car keys.

She said $735 restitution was sought for the replacement of the vehicle locks and keys.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Winning said her client, who had an 11-page criminal history, had been homeless for quite some time and living transiently on the streets between Rockhampton and Gladstone.

“When she was residing in Rockhampton she had been living on the riverbank with her friends,” Ms Winning said.

She said alcohol had been an issue for her client and that she was “highly intoxicated” at the time for a majority of the offending before the court.

“She says she doesn’t have a lot of recollection,” she said.

“She is ashamed.

“She wants to get off alcohol and marijuana.”

Malcolm was sentenced to nine months’ prison to be released on parole on June 23, 2022 with 19 days declared as time served.

She was ordered to pay $735 restitution.

Criminal convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Tammy Lee Malcolm sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for stealing