Accused baby stealer’s court update
Written by admin on August 29, 2024
A woman charged with child stealing after allegedly driving off in a car with a baby girl still strapped in the back will be sentenced within weeks, telling a court she is healthy enough to be released from custody.
Brooke Logan Fitzgerald is alleged to have stolen the car from the woman, 33, as she stood in a car park in St Pauls Tce in Spring Hill back in November 2023.
The woman’s 18-month-old baby was still strapped in the seat as Ms Fitzgerald allegedly drove off.
Police allege the mother tracked Ms Fitzgerald to Leichardt St through her phone where she attempted to stop the vehicle and restrain the driver sustaining minor injuries.
Ms Fitzgerald, 32, is charged with one count each of child stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.
During a bail application on Thursday she told Supreme Court Justice Glenn Martin she had been doing “really well” while in custody on remand.
“I know what I did wrong now … I’ve got my mental health back on track,” the self-represented woman explained.
Brisbane Supreme Court was told Ms Fitzgerald – who is of no fixed address – had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been medicated for it while in pre-sentence custody.
Justice Martin said Ms Fitzgerald was alleged to have committed the group of offences while she was on probation for unrelated offending.
The court was told this related to charges of possessing a knife in a public place and possessing dangerous drugs.
Justice Martin said Ms Fitzgerald also had other convictions for failing to appear before court.
“You just think I’ll get out and do the same thing over and over again,” Ms Fitzgerald said, while laughing.
“I’m not ready to get out and be offending, or do bad stuff.
“I just want to get my parole out of the way and just do good now, because I’m on my proper medication.”
Dani Giorgio, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the address Ms Fitzgerald proposed to live at while on bail was not suitable.
The court was told Fitzgerald was due to be sentenced for the alleged offending in late September.
Justice Martin noted even if he granted Ms Fitzgerald bail, she would still need to reapply for parole.
“There might be an element of pointlessness about this application,” he said.
Ms Fitzgerald said she did not think she would be sentenced until next year, which prompted the bail application.
Justice Martin ultimately refused bail.
