A BEGGAR who stole vouchers from the Salvation Army in Colac has been placed on another community corrections order (CCO) and been fined $1500.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cherries May Voskresensky, 38, previously of Nicholas Street, Colac, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court last week to theft, begging for alms and breaching a CCO.
Defence counsel Amanda Chambers said her client had done her utmost to turn her life around since having a CCO imposed for dishonesty charges.
She said that at that time she was in a relationship highlighted by domestic violence and using illicit substances but she ended that relationship late last year.
Police said that on November 18 last year Voskresensky went to the Salvation Army in Colac where she was given vouchers — a $60 voucher for Woolworths and a $25 voucher for the Salvation Army thrift shop.
Voskresensky was shown to the thrift shop, but claimed she left her handbag in the office, went back to get her bag and stole Woolworths and Caltex vouchers valued at $140 before leaving.
The vouchers were cancelled and the police called.
Voskresensky later made admissions to police saying she took a couple of extra vouchers, her actions were stupid and she was so disappointed in herself she put the vouchers in a bin.
She later failed to appear in court after her case was adjourned twice.
On March 18 Colac police received a report a woman was begging in a supermarket car park. Police arrived and talked to Voskresensky, who said she wanted $2 to buy milk.
She was found to have about $30 in coins and a $5 note. She said she needed the money for cigarettes.
Voskresensky said she was unaware begging was an offence.
Magistrate John Lesser said Voskresensky needed to understand that with her criminal record, every time she came to court she risked going to jail.
He said it was unfortunate she had stolen vouchers from an agency that was trying to help her but he understood she had now taken a number of steps towards improving her life.
Voskresensky was placed on a 12-month CCO with drug and mental health components. She was also convicted and fined a total of $1500.