Renee Annette Cowling sentenced for stealing “magic” crystal

It remains unclear where an expensive rose quartz crystal is “working its magic now”, a magistrate said, after a mum was busted pinching it from a Noosa store.

Renee Annette Cowling faced Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday April 18, 2023 for one charge of stealing.

A Noosa dish hand who recently suffered two strokes has faced court for stealing a pricey rose quartz crystal from a metaphysical supply store in Noosa Junction.

Renee Annette Cowling, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of stealing in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Allison Johnstone said CCTV footage showed the woman entered Symbolic Journey at 11.35am on February 18 and “took hold of the rose coloured quartz crystal in the shape of a cylinder from the top shelf of the crystal section” and placed it in her bag “while staff members attention was distracted”.

“Checks of stock levels in the coming days discovered it was missing and CCTV footage identified the defendant committing the offence,” Sergeant Johnstone said.

A search warrant was executed at Cowling’s house on March 20, 2023 but the crystal was not located.

Magistrates Haydn Stjernqvist said the $118 rose quartz crystal was still missing “and we don’t know where it’s working it’s magic now, because the restitution has been sought”.

Lawyer Laura Nightingale told the court Cowling received a Centrelink single parenting payment and lives on $220 per fortnight after her rent is deducted.

Renee Annette Cowling faced Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday April 18, 2023 for one charge of stealing.

Cowling previously worked as a dish hand at Magic of India in Noosaville and has recently gained employment as a dish hand at Frenchies Restaurant in Noosaville, Ms Nightingale said.

She also told the court Cowling had suffered a stroke in 2022 and was recently discharged from hospital this year after the second one.

“She can’t provide an explanation as to why she took the crystal other than she does collect crystals but obviously can’t afford them because they’re quite expensive,” Ms Nightingale said.

The court heard with a “significant criminal history for drug related offending”, Cowling had just come off an 18 month probation period during which time there was reoffending.

Mr Stjernqvist described her history as “unrelenting in respect to dishonesty” and “brought about, of course, by drugs”.

“All of those sentences that you have had imposed upon you by the courts historically have meant to get you to stop stealing other people’s property,” Mr Stjernqvist said.

“The previous sentences have had no effect basically.

“Hopefully this will.”

Cowling was sentenced to four months’ prison, suspended for 12 months.

She was ordered to pay $118 in restitution.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Renee Annette Cowling sentenced for stealing “magic” crystal