A 31-year-old Nulsen woman was ordered to pay more than $800 in fines and court costs after stealing $80 in fuel.
Ysabelle Leanne Peach pleaded guilty to stealing in Esperance Magistrates Court on November 5.
Senior Constable Carolyn Petersen told the court that at 7.39pm on July 29, 2019, Peach went to Caltex service station in Esperance with another person.
She refueled her car with 53L, to the value of $80.10. Peach then went inside and paid for drinks with cash.
The offender told the service station attendant she had left her bank card in her car and would go and get it.
Peach went into the vehicle and her associate drove off.
She didn’t contact the store and made no effort to pay for the fuel.
Peach’s lawyer Leneva Polmear said her client intended to pay for the fuel.
When Magistrate Brionie Ayling asked why she still hadn’t months later, Ms Polmear said Peach had been back and forth between Kalgoorlie and Esperance.
Peach spoke privately with her lawyer who then told the court her client had only realised she owed money for the fuel in the last month.
Magistrate Ayling became frustrated on hearing this excuse.
“That’s just crap,” the magistrate said.
“Ms Peach, please. Do you think I came down in the last shower?
“You thought you got away with it and then you received this charge. Just call it for what it is.”
Magistrate Ayling said the offender had a past record of stealing and ordered her to pay reparations in $80.10 to Caltex. The magistrate fined Peach $600 and ordered her to pay $225.90 in court costs.
Extracted from The Esperance Express