Mark Kreck sentenced in Southport court for break-in, attempted break-in at Benowa

A man recently hit with a jail sentence for burglary had previously smashed his way into a Gold Coast pharmacy - injuring himself - only to make off with a seemingly innocuous item. FULL STORY

A convicted burglar has avoided further punishment for a bizarre break-in at a Gold Coast pharmacy.

Mark Kreck first targeted the Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre in September, 2022, using a nearby shopping trolley to ram a set of sliding glass doors until one of them smashed.

Southport Magistrates Court was told Kreck then struck at a medical centre across the road, this time taking to the glass front doors with a rock.

Prosecutor Erin Garland said Kreck broke through the door and pulled out more of the shattered glass – cutting himself in the process – before entering through the hole.

Ms Garland said he stole a pile of blank prescriptions before fleeing the scene.

Kreck was soon tracked down and arrested nearby.

It was heard he told police he blacked out and had no recollection of damaging the glass doors, claiming he had hit his head and fallen inside the building.

The court was told Kreck was earlier this month sentenced to jail with immediate parole for a burglary committed in October, 2022.

Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson said material put before the court showed Kreck had made significant steps towards his rehabilitation, and that it was unlikely he would have received a longer jail term had all of his offences been dealt with at once.

Kreck was convicted and not further punished, having pleaded guilty to several offences including attempted enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, wilful damage, and breaching bail.

Originally published as Mark Kreck sentenced in Southport court for break-in, attempted break-in at Benowa