A Tuross Head woman who went on a criminal spending spree with a man after obtaining a stolen wallet has been jailed.
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Police said Lauren Heather McNair, 21, and an accomplice, made ten transactions at service stations and bottle shops in Tuross Head and Bodalla using the stolen cards’ paywave features.
The cards were used to purchase cigarettes and alcohol, with each transaction being less than $100.
“(The co-accused) and McNair were in a joint criminal enterprise … to fraudulently use the stolen cards of (the victim),” police said.
“The fact the co-accuseds made multiple $99 transactions, where the paywave feature does not require a PIN to authorise the transaction, shows their knowledge of the offences.”
McNair spoke of her remorse when she faced Batemans Bay Local Court on August 28.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes; I’ve seen that and I’m very remorseful. I’m sorry,” Ms McNair said.
Defence solicitor Geoff Knox said McNair followed her co-accused into the crime spree and did not in any way benefit from “his deception”.
“She realises this is a one-way street to nowhere – hanging around the same people, doing the same drugs and the same crimes,” Mr Knox said.
Magistrate Doug Dick urged McNair to set a better example for her family.
“It seems you are a follower when you need to be a leader,” Mr Dick said. “You knew what you were doing was wrong.”
McNair was sentenced to 18 months’ jail, with a non-parole period of nine months.
She will be eligible for parole in May 2018.
Meanwhile, the case against Christopher James Taylor, was adjourned in Narooma Local Court to October 12.
Taylor, 25, of Buckajo, pleaded guilty on August 17 to nine counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and several driving-related offences.
According to police facts tendered to court, Taylor and an accomplice took a purse found in a bag on Lewis Island, Narooma, and used credit cards to purchase items.
In August, Magistrate Doug Dick delayed sentencing until after Taylor had received treatment for ice addiction.
The case was mentioned on September 14 in Narooma, with Taylor’s bail to continue.