By Julia André
Copyright abc
A former Gold Coast nurse has walked away with 12 months’ probation after pleading guilty to stealing a patient’s bank card and using it to pay for a hair appointment.
Southport Magistrates Court heard Melelani Crelley’s victim was a 78-year-old woman in an induced coma in Robina Hospital’s intensive care unit.
Ms Crelley was working at Robina Hospital at the time.
The victim’s purse was in a locked box next to her hospital bed, which would’ve required a hospital staff member with the key to unlock it, the court heard.
On May 31 last year, the victim woke from her coma and discovered her purse was gone.
Ms Crelley told police she found the purse at the front of the hospital and intended to hand it in.
But she used the victim’s bank card to pay for a hair appointment in Varsity Lakes on April 27, 2024, the court heard.
She claimed she didn’t know the victim.
The victim’s son reported the transaction to police and, on July 18, 2024, Ms Crelley was arrested.
Ms Crelley remained silent in court and wiped tears from her face as Magistrate Jane Bentley addressed her.
Her lawyer, Sinead Campbell, told the court Ms Crelley lost her job immediately after the arrest and was extremely remorseful.
“She realised that her actions represented a significant breach of trust, not only to her employer but also to her colleagues [and] the community,” Ms Campbell said.
In sentencing Ms Crelley, the magistrate said it was a “significant breach of trust” to take the victim’s purse.
“I note that it’s not alleged that you took it from the locker next to the patient who was in a coma,” Ms Bentley said.
“One could not say that you took it knowing that the victim was in a coma.
“But it is still serious offending for a person in your position.”
A conviction was not recorded and Ms Crelley was released on 12 months of probation.
Ms Crelley’s nursing registration is listed as suspended, according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s (AHPRA) website.
Queensland Health says she is no longer employed.
