A WOMAN has been fined, placed on a bond and ordered to pay compensation after she used a stolen TAB card to obtain $220.
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Valena Elwood pleaded guilty to gaining financial advantage by deception when she appeared in Dubbo Local Court.
Prosecution facts tendered to the court said the victim placed a handbag in the top section of a shopping trolley at the Orana Mall at 9.30am on March 16.
A purse was removed from the handbag.
The victim reported the incident and cancelled her bank cards.
She went online to check a TAB account which had a credit of $225.39.
A cash amount of $220 had been withdrawn during a transaction at the Western Star Hotel filmed by closed-circuit television cameras.
Elwood admitted obtaining the TAB card.
A solicitor said the 22-year-old had been heavily involved in the use of illicit substances and was open to addressing her behaviour.
She had been participating in a drug and alcohol intervention program and now wanted to return to family at Bourke.
"After discovering she is pregnant she has ceased drug use and distanced herself from friends," the solicitor said.
"She would be assisted by a period of supervision," the solicitor said.
Magistrate Andrew Eckhold said Elwood had been involved in a relatively minor example of a serious offence.
"Two hours after a handbag is stolen you are using a card," the magistrate said.
"Your rehabilitation is important as you are now carrying another life.
"(Drug addiction) is a chronic relapsing condition. You need help from a medical practitioner.
"It is important to work out the triggers."
Elwood was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond to be supervised by Community Corrections. She was fined $150 and ordered to pay $220 compensation to the victim.