Convicted killer Liam Rawhiti Bliss, 34, sentenced for stealing and trespass

A Gold Coast man on a suspended prison sentence for manslaughter has avoided jail for a third time after pleading guilty to stealing. Read what happened.

Liam Rawhiti Bliss, 34, during his arrest at Biggera Waters in March 2024. Picture: 7News.

A Gold Coast man currently serving a suspended jail sentence for manslaughter has avoided being locked up for a third time after allegedly breaching the order again.

Liam Rawhiti Bliss pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday to two counts of stealing, as well as one count each of trespass and failing to show up to court.

The 34-year-old was arrested by police in March last year for unlawfully entering the yard of a home on South Quay Dr, Biggera Waters. At the time, he was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court and was already facing charges of stealing groceries and parcels.

His solicitor, Gabby King, told the court her client (Bliss) was admitted to Gold Coast University Hospital for treatment after his arrest and was using drugs.

“When my client is employed he doesn’t have an issue with drugs,” Ms King said.

“It seems when he’s unemployed, and in my instructions, on the Gold Coast he seems to go back down that track.”

Officers taking Liam Rawhiti Bliss, into custody in March 2024. Picture: 7News.

Since his arrest, Ms King said Bliss spent five days in the watch-house and upon release has continued his treatment and has been clean from illicit drugs. He is currently working full time in a supervisor role in the mining industry.

In 2018, Bliss was sentenced to a five-year suspended prison term after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of pool builder Greg Dufty. A number of others were given jail time, including Lionel Patea, who pleaded guilty to murder.

The court was told at the time he drove a car that included Lionel and Nathan Patea to the hinterland where Mr Dufty was bashed in 2015, but claims he did not know what happened to him.

Bliss breached the suspended prison sentence in January 2021 when he put his elbow through a car windscreen and bashed a driver in a drunken and violent road rage attack near Circle on Cavill in Surfers Paradise. He avoided jail time for the incident and the suspended sentence was extended.

Bliss was disturbed while unlawfully in the yard of a home. Picture: 7News.

Southport Magistrates Court was told that by reoffending, Bliss had allegedly breached the suspended prison sentence for a second time.

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson acknowledged he had shown a “significant decrease” in offending since being convicted of manslaughter. He had also demonstrated genuine remorse by offering to pay restitution to the victims he stole from.

Magistrate Thompson deemed his five days spent in watch-house custody as sufficient punishment and convicted him with no further punishment. She ordered Bliss face Brisbane Supreme Court to be re-sentenced for the latest alleged breach of the suspended sentence. He was granted bail in the meantime.

Originally published as Convicted killer Liam Rawhiti Bliss, 34, sentenced for stealing and trespass