A mother-of-five stunned a Queensland court room on Friday when she asked the judge for a job as he jailed her for stealing from 11 different businesses.
After pleading guilty to 18 thefts Merle-Anne Allira Johnson asked Magistrate Neil Lavaring if he could her help her find employment after he asked the 33-year-old what sort of job she was looking for.
‘Can you hook me up? … I’m a really good cleaner,’ Johsnson, who sports tattoos on her face, asked Mr Lavaring.
Merle-Anne Allira Johnson (pictured) stunned a Queensland court room when she asked the judge for a job
The mother-of-five’s lawyer said her crimes were out of necessity, not greed (pictured is Ms Johnson)
![Johnson posted this photo to Facebook alongside the caption: 'Don't hate me cos you aent me' [sic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/03/03/10/49C300C500000578-5457303-Johnson_posted_this_photo_to_Facebook_alongside_the_caption_Don_-a-38_1520073808495.jpg)
Johnson posted this photo to Facebook alongside the caption: ‘Don’t hate me cos you aent me’ [sic]
While serving an 11-month prison sentence for previous stealing crimes, Johnson pleaded guilty to 20 charges in Gladstone Magistrates Court via video link, the Gladstone Observer reported.
During her spate of thefts which spanned across nine months from April 2017 to January 2018 Johnson stole items from 11 different Gladstone businesses.
She targeted the Young Australian Hotel, Saltt Clothing, Dicey’s Bar and Grill, Chemist Warehouse and Strandbags.
She targeted the Young Australian Hotel, Saltt Clothing, Dicey’s Bar and Grill, Chemist Warehouse, Strandbags and Priceline Pharmacy (pictured)
On December 27 Johnson attempted to steal $201 worth of goods from Dan Murphy’s
She stole $156.67 worth of items from Priceline Pharmacy before her priciest theft for $201 at Dan Murphy’s on December 27.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Balan Selvadurai stated Johnson owed the businesses more than $1,135 in restitution.
Defence lawyer Jun Pepito said his client’s ongoing stealing behaviour was out of necessity as opposed to greed.
‘She goes to the shop, steals the item, particularly alcohol, and sells it for money,’ Mr Pepito said.
Via video link from prison, Johnson said she was remorseful for her actions.
Johnson was sentenced to 14 months jail and will be eligible for parole on April 9
‘I apologise to you (Mr Lavaring), to the entire courtroom … to the community for all the dodgy sh-t I’ve done,’ she said.
Johnson was sentenced to 14 months in prison and will be eligible for parole on April 9.
As the court session concluded Johnson addressed Magistrate Lavaring by giving him two thumbs up and called him by his first name.
‘Thanks Neil, I appreciate it!’
As her hearing ended, Johnson thanked Magistrate Lavaring while using his first name (pictured: Gladstone Magistrates Court)