Lily Mary-Jo Norris pleads guilty to unlawfully using car at Alexandra Headland

A young woman was released from custody without charge for a crime involving a stolen car, until forensics uncovered her lies.

Lily Mary-Jo Norris. Picture: Facebook

A young woman was let go without charge by police after declaring she had nothing to do with a stolen car crash, only for her fingerprints to be later found inside.

Lily Mary-Jo Norris, 20, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday, July 17, to one count of unlawfully using a motor vehicle.

Police prosecutor Shain Raison told the court the owner of the car was in the process of moving houses in Maroochydore on June 16, 2024 and had stepped briefly inside, only to come back out to find his Ford Ranger missing.

The court heard about midnight on June 17 police noticed the stolen car at Alexandra Headland and followed it with intent to intercept before the vehicle crashed.

Police found three people exiting the vehicle, and a young woman with long black hair - Norris - approached the scene stating she had just come from a nearby hotel.

Senior Sergeant Raison said she denied any knowledge of the three people and the car and was eventually released from custody without charge.

Later during a forensic analysis, a fingerprint matching Norris was found inside the passenger door.

Norris was ultimately arrested.

Defence lawyer Jamiee Burns said her client was currently subject to a probation order, which was made after the stolen car incident and had two months remaining.

She told the court Norris has shown remorse and letters written by references spoke to her rehabilitation.

Ms Burns said Norris had also removed herself from negative associates since the incident.

She was given six months parole from July 17, the day of her sentence.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Lily Mary-Jo Norris pleads guilty to unlawfully using car at Alexandra Headland