Woman kept key, burgled Albany backpacker’s room

A 43-year-old woman burgled a room she had previous stayed in at Albany’s 1849 Backpackers after stealing an access key to the accommodation. Natasha Taylor received a 12-month intensive supervision order and was fined nearly $3000 in Albany Magistrate's Court last Thursday after pleading guilty to 18 criminal charges. She was also stripped of her driving licence for 30 months after blowing a reading of 0.202 during a breath test on Frenchman Bay Road in December. The court was told that on January 10, Taylor knocked on the room’s door at 1849 Backpackers and entered after nobody answered. Police prosecutor Sgt Alan Dean said once inside, Taylor stole a wallet she found on the bed containing Korean currency. Magistrate Raelene Johnston described the burglary as “devious”. Ms Johnston said the crimes had affected local businesses after the court was told petrol stations from Dumbleyung to Albany had been targeted by Taylor in fuel drive-offs. Among her other charges were five stealing offences and five gain-benefit-by-fraud crimes.