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.

Melelani Crelley (right) leaves court. She was charged with stealing a seriously ill patient's bank card. (ABC Gold Coast: Mackenzie Colahan)

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.

A nurse, Ms Crelley lost her job when she was charged. (ABC Gold Coast: Mackenzie Colahan)

"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.

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"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.

By Julia André

 

[Parrot]

If we cannot trust the Medical Staff whose hands we are in, whilst in Hospital who can we trust.?

 

[Clancieblue]

Her actions were not a breach of trust; they were downright bloody criminal.

 

[Frida1944]

These smack on the hand sentences provide no sense of justice to victims, or to the public. Community service should be mandatory for crimes (which it is) at the lower end of the scale. These people need to be held to account in a way which actually impairs on their life as their actions impaired on others. In this case it was particularly callous as the patient was in a coma. Whatever happened to ethics and common decency with these people?

 

[cblayney]

Even if she didn't steal the purse (which is doubtful) she stolen money. It wasn't even for basic needs such as food or rent but for her hair. Should never be placed with vulnerable people again.... ever

 

[wildroseforever]

We seem to have become a nation of thieves. And its not the "down and out" who are doing the stealing, it is well educated, middle class people who are not lacking the basics of life. People well versed in technology, people in positions of trust (like nurses and carers) preying on the vulnerable. What are we teaching our children?????????

 

[Veggiepatch]

My Mum passed away on the afternoon of 17 September 2007 and I arrived at Bankstown Hospital ten minutes later.

When I asked the nursing staff where her wedding ring was, I was met with looks of "it wasn't me" and a sudden lack of skills in the English language. Suspicious as hell and if I wasn't fighting emotions of anger and grief, I would have gone a LOT further in a way that language was not necessary.

 

[Towing]

Paywave and the method that you don't have to use a pin number should never have been introduced. It is too easily used by other people if it is lost or stolen.
I hope nurse was forced to re-pay the money with interest.

 

[Towing]

My Mum passed away on the afternoon of 17 September 2007 and I arrived at Bankstown Hospital ten minutes later.

When I asked the nursing staff where her wedding ring was, I was met with looks of "it wasn't me" and a sudden lack of skills in the English language. Suspicious as hell and if I wasn't fighting emotions of anger and grief, I would have gone a LOT further in a way that language was not necessary.

When my Mum passed away the funeral director asked us if we wanted her wedding ring left on and taken off. Our reply was that if it came off easily to take it off, otherwise leave it on. We didn't have a viewing. They were honest and gave me the ring.

 

[RobbyNotTheRobot]

Some here saying that this woman should be in Jail.
Yes, she was stupid and now she is paying a price. I doubt she will ever be a practising Nurse again, her stupidity did that.
A very unfortunate affair all round.

 

[meighLeigh]

Add fraud to enable blatant and deliberate theft to breach of trust.
Okay, we expect (and often demand) a lot from our nurses - but anyone going into hospital, especially if that person is unconscious at the time, has to trust the hospital and all its staff will treat said patient with honesty as well as due care.
12 months probation and no conviction makes a mockery of justice.

 

[marni]

These smack on the hand sentences provide no sense of justice to victims, or to the public. Community service should be mandatory for crimes (which it is) at the lower end of the scale. These people need to be held to account in a way which actually impairs on their life as their actions impaired on others. In this case it was particularly callous as the patient was in a coma. Whatever happened to ethics and common decency with these people?

So very true words. When are we going to treat criminals like criminals. So fed up

 

[marni]

Some here saying that this woman should be in Jail.
Yes, she was stupid and now she is paying a price. I doubt she will ever be a practising Nurse again, her stupidity did that.
A very unfortunate affair all round.

Why not. She knew it was not hers