Justin Deveril sentenced for bungled Bunnings Pimpama robbery attempt

A man was caught red-handed in his bizarre attempt to steal several vacuum cleaners from a Gold Coast Bunnings – but it didn’t stop him from trying to fight his way out.

Bunnings Warehouse. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

A serial thief caught trying to steal three vacuum cleaners from a major Gold Coast retailer was forced to flee empty-handed after a failed attempt to fight his way out.

Justin Deveril was stopped by staff as he tried to leave Bunnings Pimpama with the appliances in hand on December 18 last year.

Southport District Court was told Deveril claimed he had paid and again tried to leave the store, but was blocked by four employees.

The 42-year-old insisted he had a receipt and searched through his pockets.

Deveril was unable to produce it and tried yet again to walk out, this time with just one vacuum cleaner.

When he was once again blockaded, Deveril swung the vacuum cleaner at one of the Bunnings staff members and tried to throw a punch at another while struggling to break free.

He soon fled empty-handed.

Deveril was arrested on unrelated charges several weeks later and had spent more than 300 days in custody by the time of his sentencing.

The court was told Deveril had a combined 30 pages of criminal history between Queensland and New South Wales, featuring dozens of convictions for stealing and other property-related offences.

Defence barrister Josie Salzman said Deveril’s father was an ongoing source of support as his son tried to rehabilitate and would again try to help him upon his release.

Deveril pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery by using or threatening violence.

He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ jail with immediate parole release.

Originally published as Justin Deveril sentenced for bungled Bunnings Pimpama robbery attempt