Chinchilla mum fronts Toowoomba court on more than 70 stealing and evasion charges

A young Chinchilla mum who was caught stealing suitcases full of clothes and thousands of dollars in stock has been chewed out by a magistrate in a Toowoomba courtroom.

Chinchilla mother of two, Tarlah Jean Hardy, pleaded guilty to in excess of 70 charges on Wednesday July 3, 2024. Picture: Facebook

A young mum has faced the music after she was caught stealing suitcases full of clothes and thousands of dollars worth in merchandise.

Chinchilla mum Tarlah Jean Hardy, 25, appeared before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday in custody via videolink where she pleaded guilty to more than 70 charges including multiple stealing offences, evasion and driving without a licence.

The court was told, in a matter of months, the young mum of two stole from numerous retail venues including $4577 worth of merchandise from Anaconda, $3945 from Big W, $3000 worth from Rebel Sport and suitcases full of clothing from fashion retailers.

Police prosecutor Tim Hutton told the court Ms Hardy had offended in a “precipitous and prolific” nature.

“The offending is just repetitive and the cost to the community is outrageous,” Sergeant Hutton said.

“At no time has she tried to conceal her identity, she’s never tried to hand items back.

“It’s not as if she doesn’t know what she is doing is wrong but continues, without fear of any consequences, doing the same thing.”

Young mum Tarlah Jean Hardy has faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court after she was caught stealing suitcases full of clothes and thousands of dollars worth in merchandise.

Sergeant Hutton urged the court to consider a term of imprisonment, adding Ms Hardy was already on a suspended sentence for similar charges heard in March and currently on probation.

The defendant’s solicitor Michael Corbin conceded a term of imprisonment was necessary for the situation but argued an early parole date would best allow Ms Hardy to successfully reintegrate into society.

“That assistance is critical,” Mr Corbin said.

He added Ms Hardy had struggled with judgment from family for birthing a daughter diagnosed with non-verbal autism, leading to her offending.

“They were blaming her, not accepting that the child was diagnosed as autistic,” he said.

“It got too much for her.”

Magistrate Mark Howden warned Ms Hardy to change her ways.

“You have been stealing from many, many stores over a number of months now you steal things without seeming to be too concerned about being recognised or photographed while you do it,” he said.

“There’s no alternative but to sentence you to terms of imprisonment.

“Put very simply Ms Hardy if you don’t stop stealing and don’t stop behaving in this way, all that’s going to happen is that the courts will run out of options, they’ll just put you into jail for longer and longer periods.

“That’s the point you have reached in your life.”

Ms Hardy was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with a parole date of October 4, 2024.

She was also disqualified from driving for at least two years and six months.