A woman accused of preying on elderly victims in a Dubbo shopping centre to steal significant sums of money has been refused bail.
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Shayleen Frail of Wellington allegedly struck six times between March and May, with one charge relating to the theft of $1800 in cash.
Police allege purses and their contents were stolen from shopping trolleys or from the back of toilet cubicle doors.
It is alleged you preyed upon elderly people and have taken considerable amounts of money.
- Magistrate Gary Wilson
Ms Frail, 30, appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to three counts of larceny, three counts of stealing from person and two associated fraud charges.
The prosecution opposed bail submitting there were unacceptable risks of committing serious offences and endangering the safety of the victims or community.
The allegations were all dishonesty offences and it seemed the “modus operandi” had been the same, the sergeant said.
Two victims were aged in their late seventies and another was aged in her sixties, he said.
The sergeant submitted it was a strong prosecution case, with closed-circuit television (CCTV) evidence for most charges.
The defence submitted some evidence was circumstantial.
It was conceded Ms Frail had a lengthy criminal history but she had no history of violence, her solicitor said.
Her client was willing to comply with a number of conditions, including that she not enter Dubbo except to receive methadone and to attend medical appointments, she said.
Ms Frail’s father was in court and was willing to provide a $200 surety, the court heard.
Magistrate Gary Wilson said the allegations were “significant to say the least” with the offences allegedly occurring over a couple of months, against elderly women in a Dubbo mall area.
“It is alleged you preyed upon elderly people, and have taken considerable amounts of money,” he said.
He said Ms Frail’s criminal history did not assist her and noted she was serving a suspended sentence.
He refused bail, finding unacceptable risks of endangering the safety of the community and committing serious offences.
Ms Frail is due to reappear in court on July 26.