Caitlyn Louise May Lucas Combarngo, 28, to spend three months in jail away from her kids

The 28-year-old mother of four had spent 79 days in jail before appearing in court to plead guilty to 40 offences.

A 28-year-old mother of four with a habit of missing court dates and breaching her bail conditions has been jailed.

Caitlyn Louise May Lucas Combarngo appeared via video link from the women’s prison to plead guilty before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday to a total of 41 charges.

Though the offences included six stealing, two drug driving and one each of possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils, the majority of the rest of her matters amounted to failing to appear in court and breaching bail offences, the court heard.

Police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb told the court Lucas Combarngo had only two pages of criminal history and she had spent 79 days in pre-sentence custody.

Defence solicitor Hamish Chapman, for Lucas Combarngo, told the court his client’s offending as to the breaching of bail and failing to appear in court stemmed from her separation from her four children who were in the care of others.

Toowoomba Courthouse in Hume St, Toowoomba City

The 79 days in custody away from her children had been particularly difficult for her, he said.

However, that time in custody in one aspect had been good for Lucas Combarngo because it had got her free of any drugs and she did appear healthier, Mr Chapman submitted.

His client intended upon her release from jail returning to her home in Brisbane and working on getting her children back in her care, he said.

Acting Magistrate Rowan Silva told Lucas Combarngo that he would impose a sentence that helped end her use of drugs and assisted her unification with her children.

Mr Silva sentenced her to 10 months in jail and 12 months probation but, declaring the 79 days presentence custody as time already served, ordered she be released on parole from January 30.