A magistrate at the Cairns Magistrates Court has declined to accept a guilty plea from Dominique Marianne Rolland, 53, who is accused of defrauding dozens of brides while working at Jonovia Bridal in Cairns. The magistrate ruled on Thursday, July 23, 2026, that the alleged offending may warrant a longer prison sentence than the magistrate court can impose, thus referring the case to a higher court with greater sentencing powers.

Ms. Rolland is charged with one count of fraud totaling $121,482. The alleged fraud occurred between June 1, 2021, and August 1, 2023, and involved 62 brides, one debutante, and 12 family members who contributed to payments for wedding dresses. The court heard that Jonovia Bridal engaged in alleged "underhanded practices" by stringing along brides who were still without their dresses close to their wedding dates.

Prosecutor Thomas Feeney described the case as "an unusual example" of fraud because Ms. Rolland did not receive any direct benefit from the payment of deposits aside from her wage. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment, but Magistrate Terence Browne noted he would have been limited to a maximum of three years if he had accepted the case.

Magistrate Browne expressed concern that "three years falls at the very bottom of the [sentencing] range" and that the court might feel constrained in sentencing if the case proceeded in the magistrates court.

Defence lawyer Bebe Mellick told the court that Ms. Rolland had shown some goodwill, citing an instance when she paid $4,000 from her own pocket to a "desperate" bride about two weeks before her wedding who was still waiting for her dress.

The case will now proceed to a higher court for further hearing and sentencing.

Sources