A SERIAL thief accused of stealing alcohol three hours after her bail was extended, allegedly threatened to blow herself up at a petrol station, a court heard on Tuesday.
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After an argument with her partner following the alleged theft of four premixed whiskey cans at a Buninyong FoodWorks, Shelly McBain, 39, picked up a pump at a petrol station and threatened to blow herself up.
Described as “unstable” by police informant Senior Constable Joel Dash, McBain sobbed in the dock, wailing “I need help”, before magistrate Michelle Hodgson rejected her bail application.
On February 12, the day after the alleged offence, McBain was accused of stealing alcohol from the same store and threatening the store owner with syringes when she confronted her.
McBain, of Ballarat North, appeared at Ballarat Magistrates Court on February 11 to have a number of theft matters adjourned until March 12.
David Tamanika, for McBain, said his client wished to undergo treatment at a detox facility at Corio, but would have to be released into the community a few days prior to being accepted into the unit near Geelong.
Ms Hodgson said McBain’s extensive prior history, combined with physical assault charges laid by police on Tuesday, meant she was an unacceptable risk to the community. McBain is charged with two counts of theft and recklessly cause injury.
She was remanded to reappear at Ballarat Magistrates Court on March 12.
