Geraldton teenager who drove getaway car while on her learner’s fined $1300 and disqualified for nine months

A Geraldton teenager who pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver for a robbery at Wonthella Cellarbrations last month, while on her learner’s permit, has been banned from driving for nine months and fined $1200. Mercedes Lee Abbott appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court charged with aggravated robbery, reckless driving and never holding a driver’s licence. The 18-year-old girl pleaded guilty to the driving offences while she entered a not guilty plea to the aggravated robbery charge. Abbott’s mother, Tennille Marie Holland, also appeared in court charged with aggravated robbery but did not enter a plea. She is accused of being an accessory by allegedly dumping the car in bushland and later reporting it stolen. Police prosecutor Sergeant Beau Jones said Abbott was driving in company with her uncle Chad Holland and Jasmine Dalgety on November 12 when Mr Holland said he wanted to do a ”bottle shop run through”. Mr Holland and Ms Dalgety exited the car and walked into Cellarbrations together where Holland allegedly took a number of bottles and put them in a shopping basket before attempting to leave the store. Two staff members tried to stop them with one grabbing Mr Holland’s basket, before she was assaulted. Ms Dalgety fled to the waiting car, while Mr Holland soon followed. Sgt Jones said Abbott drove at speed, crossing the wrong side of the road and failing to stop at a stop sign in an attempt to escape. The girl, who only has a learner’s permit, was later arrested and taken to Geraldton Police Station. Defence lawyer Fintan Roberts said Abbott had no idea what was going on when Mr Holland and Ms Dalgety allegedly decided to rob the store. The court was told Abbott went for a drive with Mr Holland when he insisted they pick up Ms Dalgety before stating “lets go get some liquor.” She wasn’t aware Mr Holland didn’t have a licence. In relation to the “getaway”, Mr Roberts said Mr Holland was “going off” at Abbott and she panicked but accepts driving recklessly. She only found out there had been a robbery after the fact, he said. “She wasn’t equipped to deal with that situation,” he said. Magistrate Angus Hockton said the offending was “really dangerous” and put people in danger. However, he noted her plea of guilty, young age, that she has no record and is working when considering the sentence. He fined Abbott $1200 and disqualified her from driving for six months for the reckless driving. While she received three months disqualification and a $100 fine for never having held a licence. The 18-year-old was granted a spent conviction with the magistrate stating “it’s unlikely you will commit a similar offence”. She will reappear in Geraldton Magistrates Court for committal mention on March 16. Mr Holland and Ms Dalgety are yet to enter pleas to their charges.