Rebecca Harold, 26, of Warrnambool, pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to theft, handling stolen goods and breaching bail.

Lawyer Xavier Farrely said Harold’s extensive criminal record, involving offences of dishonesty, was a result of poor judgement and hanging around the wrong people. 

He said Harold was often with a co-offender at the time of her offending. 

Magistrate Peter Mellas said he believed Harold had difficulty completing simple tasks and was often manipulated by other offenders.

He sentenced Harold to the one day she had spent on remand in custody and varied an existing community corrections order to include mental health treatment.

On July 11 Harold and a co-accused Warrnambool man approached the victim, who has an acquired brain injury, near the old Thomas Jewellers building.

The vulnerable man was asked to go to the Parkers car park where he was told to stand on a painted line. Mr Jennings then demanded the victim hand over his wallet.

He refused, was forced to the ground and his wallet was taken. Harold stood nearby and watched. 

A bank card and $50 was removed from the wallet before it was dumped in a bin on Liebig Street. The pair then attended the Warrnambool Football Club and spent the money on the pokies. 

Then on July 30 Harold attended Warrnambool’s City Memorial Bowls Club and stole a woman’s purse from her handbag. 

At the time of offending, Harold was on bail for theft from Warrnambool’s Salvation Army thrift shop.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.