Charles James Mavin: barefoot thief assaults Coolangatta 7-Eleven employee

A barefoot thief who turned on a Gold Coast 7-Eleven employee trying to stop him has been sentenced for the assault and another “disgusting act”. SEE THE VIDEO

An Elanora man who hit and shoved a 7-Eleven employee to the ground after stealing from its Coolangatta store has been sentenced.

Charles James Mavin, 35, who was facing a string of charges that occurred over a two-month period, appeared via videolink from custody in the Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to all charges including one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and two counts of fraud.

CCTV footage captured Charles James Mavin, 35, taking items from a fridge and walking out of a Coolangatta 7-Eleven without paying. Picture: supplied

CCTV footage played in court captured Mavin entering a Coolangatta 7-Eleven store in the evening on August 31, 2024.

Mavin was seen grabbing a number of items from a fridge and walking out of the shop without paying.

The store attendant tried to recover the property and ran after Mavin, who hit the man and pushed him to the ground.

The store attendant chases after Mavin to recover the property but is hit and pushed to the ground. Picture: supplied

The man suffered a cut to his face and a leg injury as a result.

The footage showed Mavin returning to the store, kicking over a rubbish bin outside and acting in a way that was described as “bizarre” by both the Magistrate and police prosecutor Sergeant Karen Friedrichs.

“The defendant comes back into the store and carries on in front of the witnesses and the victim,” Sergeant Friedrichs said about the interaction.

CCTV footage captures Mavin returning to the shop and kicking over a bin at the front. Picture: supplied

Mavin was also before the court for a number of other charges, including one count of serious assault person over 60.

The court heard Mavin yelled at his mother and later spat in her face after she refused to give him money and asked him to leave her house.

Sergeant Friedrichs told the court that Mavin had an extensive criminal history and the probation orders he had received in the past had not deterred his conduct becoming more significant and serious.

She said a term of imprisonment was in range.

Mavin returns acting in a way that was described as “bizarre” by both the Magistrate and police prosecutor in court. Picture: supplied

Mavin’s defence lawyer, Rachel Carson from Howden Saggers Lawyers, told the court the offending behaviour occurred during a period of emotional distress for her client.

She said that Mavin has lost contact with his children, and the decline of his mental health cause him to increase his drinking, which led to his behaviour.

The court heard Mavin was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Ms Carson said Mavin has since indicated a motivation to turn his life around and if released, would live with his sister in Yarrabilba with plans to return to work in scaffolding.

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said Mavin’s assault on his mother was the most serious offence.

“I hope you understand what a disgusting act that is,” she told Mavin.

She said it seemed Mavin was self medicating with alcohol during the offending period.

“Obviously intoxication is an explanation, it is not an excuse,” she said.

He was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment with immediate court ordered parole.

The 189 days he has spent in pre-sentence custody was counted as time served.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Charles James Mavin: barefoot thief assaults Coolangatta 7-Eleven employee