Woman Cleared of Murder Charges Convicted of Fraud Offence
Woman Cleared of Murder Charges Convicted of Fraud Offence
A Queensland woman who was previously cleared of murdering two of her adult children has been convicted of a fraud offence after a court heard she had engaged in years of dishonest conduct to obtain government and support payments.
Maree Crabtree Returns to Court
Maree Mavis Crabtree appeared in court on October 6, 2026, after previously facing serious allegations connected to the deaths of two of her adult children.
Several murder charges, including the charge relating to her daughter Erin Crabtree, were discontinued in the Supreme Court in Brisbane last week.
The latest court proceedings instead focused on fraud offences that occurred over a number of years.
Thousands of Dollars in Government Payments
The court heard that Crabtree fraudulently received about $12,000 in government payments between 2017 and the period shortly before her arrest.
The payments were made in relation to another daughter who was no longer in her care.
Crabtree was also accused of receiving approximately $140,000 from a New South Wales support service between 2010 and 2015.
Court Hears About False Information
The prosecution told the court that Crabtree repeatedly provided false information to the New South Wales organisation, including claiming that she was still living in Muswellbrook after she had moved to Queensland.
The court heard that she maintained the false address and used reimbursements from the organisation to help fund her lifestyle.
Judge David Kent described the offending as serious and involving sustained dishonesty.
Previous Offending Also Discussed
The court heard that Crabtree had a limited but relevant criminal history.
In 1999, she was sentenced for making false representations to police about crimes that she had claimed were committed against her but which had been fabricated.
She was also sentenced in 2010 after being convicted of stealing cattle in Muswellbrook.
No Further Time in Custody
Crabtree was sentenced to one month for each of the Commonwealth fraud charges, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
She was also ordered to repay the $12,000 connected to the government payments.
For the separate fraud offence, she was convicted but received no additional punishment because she had already spent about six years in custody awaiting the outcome of her previous legal proceedings.
As a result, Crabtree was free to leave court after the latest hearing.
Source: ABC News, October 6, 2026.
