Sharni-Lea Della Donald faces Toowoomba Magistrates Court on shoplifting offences

A 32-year-old Toowoomba mother of five with such a bad history of shoplifting that she’s been banned from all Target stores in the country, has faced court for pilfering $1900 of goods during a shoplifting spree.

A 32-year-old mother of five with a shoplifting history so bad she was banned from every Target store in Australia has vowed never to steal again.

“I’m finished with stealing, you won’t see me back here,” Sharni-Lea Della Donald told her solicitor as she left Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday after being released on parole.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to 17 instances of stealing from various Toowoomba stores with a total value of just under $1900, though $1197 worth of stolen items had been recovered, the court was told.

She also pleaded guilty to four counts of breaching bail including attending Grand Central Shopping Centre which was in breach of her bail conditions, trespassing and drug driving.

Her solicitor Ryan McCullough, of MacDonald Law, told the court his client had three main problems which included a longstanding cannabis issue dating back to when she was just 13, a pokie machine gambling problem and mental health issues including diagnosed depression and anxiety.

Toowoomba Courthouse in Hume St.

However, Mr McCullough said his client identified her main problem was some of her peers and she intended on getting away from bad influences who had been with her on most occasions when she offended.

The items stolen were mainly clothing and food, the money for which Donald had otherwise blown on cannabis and poker machines, Mr McCullough said.

Donald had since taken steps toward rehabilitation having gained insight into her offending and was now on new medication, had a mental health plan devised with her GP and she had recently engaged with the Lives Lived Well organisation, Mr McCullough said.

Noting her significant criminal history of dishonesty and stealing offences, magistrate Clare Kelly said a term of imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence.

Telling Donald she hoped she was serious about getting her life on track, Ms Kelly sentenced her to 12 months in jail but ordered she be released on parole immediately.

Ms Kelly said she declined to make any order for compensation.