The case of a Norwood ice addict who went on a stealing spree has been described as a tragedy by a magistrate.
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Melissa Lee Hill, 31, pleaded guilty to more than 20 fraud and stealing charges in court on Friday.
Hill was busted going through the bags of students who were practicing at dance studio in June last year.
She took ballet shoes but was disturbed by students and teachers, police prosecutor Senior Constable Ashlee Goss said in court.
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A student's parent detained Hill and the incident of was one of many revealed in court before magistrate Sharon Cure made sentencing remarks.
From November 2018 to November 2019, Hill stole clothes, perfume, lingerie, headphones, meat, sunglasses and alcohol from Launceston businesses.
Red Herring Surf, Myer, IGA, Cotton On, Bunnings, Embellish, Steve's Liqour, Coles, Chemist Warehouse and The Sports Arena were among the shops Hill targeted.
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In December 2018 the court heard she stole a purse out of a pram.
Hill's fingerprints were discovered in January 2019 at a vacant house at Newstead, which was broken into and had a computer, candles and a rug stolen out of it.
During the year of offending, Hill stole a Paywave card and used it to pay for taxis, a mobile phone and cigarettes.
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Hill laughed and said "absolutely not" when senior constable Goss told the court Hill was alleged to have inserted one stolen Mastercard into her rectum.
Magistrate Sharon Cure did not believe police.
"I struggle to accept she put a Mastercard in that location," Magistrate Cure said.
"This is a very clear case of the tragic effects of methamphetamine addiction.
"It can't be trivialised. We have a serious drug problem here."
Magistrate Cure noted Hill had been remanded in custody for a total of six months and three weeks because of the offending.
"She's done her time," the magistrate said.
"I know she does genuinely want to stop using drugs."
Magistrate Cure said there was a huge compensation order waiting for Hill and noted she had been in domestically violent relationships in the past.
Hill said she planned to enter a residential drug rehabilitation facility in Queensland once she was released.
Magistrate Cure sentenced Hill to 10 months and three weeks in jail. All but four months of the sentence was suspended and Hill was allowed to walk free from Launceston Magistrates Court.
