By Danielle Kutchel
A woman has been denied bail after multiple breaches of community corrections orders over several years.
The woman appeared in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 3 September, supported by her father, after offending while on a community corrections order. She had also failed to complete the community work involved in her corrections order.
The accused had failed to appear in court on 28 March this year while on bail relating to offences earlier that month.
According to court papers, the accused had stolen a Mitsubishi Lancer on 9 March 2019. On the same day she had been charged with being in possession of methyl amphetamine, and $551 in cash, suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
On 5 August 2019 she was intercepted while driving and was charged with being in possession of methyl amphetamine, driving whilst disqualified and giving a false name and address to police. Police also found false plates on the vehicle.
Police allege the accused admitted to giving a false name due to her outstanding matters, and was unaware of the drugs in the car.
According to court papers, the woman has a significant criminal history of 47 prior charges dating back to 2014.
Her father told the court he would be happy for his daughter to live with him, his wife and grandchild – the accused’s child – if she were to receive bail.
He said he would report the accused to police if she committed any further offences, insisting he wouldn’t let his daughter “jeopardise my family and grandson”.
The man told the court he ran support groups for people addicted to drugs, and would be able to assist his daughter as she got back on track.
“It’s difficult for me as a father to sit here,” he told the court.
“No matter what she needs to do, I’ll be there for her.”
A lawyer for the accused told the court her client had the support of a court integrated services program with a plan in place for her potential bail, and had also completed rehabilitation programs while in custody.
But magistrate Jack Vandersteen said the accused had a history of breaching community corrections orders, noting she had had numerous opportunities to engage in treatment and rehabilitation since 2014.
Her bail application was refused and the case was adjourned to reappear in Ringwood Magistrates’ Court later this month.
