A Ballarat woman who stole several vehicles "for fun" with her teenage boyfriend has avoided more jail time after she pleaded guilty on Thursday.
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Georgia Cleary was sentenced to 101 days in jail, which she has already served on remand, after she pleaded guilty to 12 charges.
The 24-year-old's offending, spanning from October 2018 to June 2019, included six car thefts, two counts of driving unregistered vehicles, two counts of driving while suspended and one count of fraudulently using a registration plate.
The Ballarat Magistrates Court was told the vehicles were stolen from across Ballarat, including Brown Hill, Creswick, Wendouree and Woodmans Hill, with the total value of vehicles stolen worth $46,500.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Michael Patterson said in one incident in May police attended a Woodmans Hill motel where a stolen Nissan Pulsar, fixed with stolen number plates, was parked.
He said Cleary and her 17-year-old boyfriend fled the hotel but their fingerprints were found in their motel room on the glass.
The court was told the stolen Nissan Pulsar was later found burnt-out in Chisholm Street, Black Hill.
Defence lawyer Kristen Morrow said her client's behaviour occurred after the end of a long-term relationship when she turned to methamphetamine use.
"She has said she never wants to engage in drugs again. She wants to get on the right track," Ms Morrow said.
Magistrate Alan Spillane said Cleary should be given another opportunity to avoid jail because of her age. He sentenced her to time already served, fined her $200 and disqualified her from driving for 12 months.
Cleary was placed back on a 12-month community correction order she breached by her re-offending.
"Stealing cars for fun is not sensible. I certainly hope you have learnt that lesson," Mr Spillane told Cleary.
In a separate case on Thursday, Jason Greishan Crawford pleaded guilty to six charges, including attempted burglary, attempted car theft, car theft and aggravated burglary person present.
The court was told Crawford attempted to burgle a Stockland Wendouree car wash and attempted to steal a utility at the centre's car park on May 10.
At Alfredton three days later, he stole a $60,500 Mazda CX9 and used the owner's bank card to buy cigarettes and drinks from BP Ballarat West.
Defence lawyer David Tamanika said his client had an intellectual disability and he needed access to funding programs, such as the NDIS.
Crawford was sentenced to six months in jail, with 120 days already served on remand, and was disqualified from driving for nine months.
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