Stephen Sheridan in Gladstone court for copper wire crimes

A man who police say made ‘a concerted effort’ to get copper wire and cables from Central Queensland businesses has faced court where it was revealed how he was profiting from his crimes.

Gladstone Magistrates Court heard Stephen Laurie Sheridan, 41, seemed to be making “a concerted effort” to acquire copper wire and cables, or aluminium wire, from Gladstone region businesses as well as air-conditioners and radiators which had this wiring in them. Generic image.

A man has faced court for a string of copper wire crimes with police saying Gladstone region businesses are “being bled” for these types of materials by thieves.

Stephen Laurie Sheridan, 41, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to charges including stealing, possessing suspected stolen property, and two counts each of receiving tainted property and possessing dangerous drugs.

In relation to the offences before the court, police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said Sheridan seemed to be making “a concerted effort” to acquire copper wire and cables, or aluminium wire, from Gladstone region businesses as well as air conditioners and radiators which had this wiring in them.

“Which he can then on-sell as these are a valuable item,” Sgt Hoskins said.

The court heard police had been doing mobile patrols along dirt tracks adjacent to the Boyne River when they found Sheridan at the back of his car, stripping electrical cables.

Police found him with copper and aluminium wire, copper electrical cables, air conditioners and other items containing aluminium.

He was also caught with wire-stripping tools as well as drugs.

Copper wire ready for recycling. Generic image.

The court heard Sheridan told police he had been selling the wire and cables to scrap yards for $12 a kilogram.

On a different day, police acting on a public tip-off intercepted Sheridan on the Bruce Highway and found him with scrap metal in his car that had been removed from a Gladstone region business.

Sgt Hoskins said drugs “could well be the motivation” for Sheridan’s offending.

He had a three-page criminal history which included fraud and drug offending.

Sgt Hoskins said businesses in the Gladstone region were “being bled” for these types of materials by thieves.

“In my submission, a term of imprisonment is in range (for Sheridan),” she said.

Solicitor Rio Ramos said Sheridan was a single dad who, at the time of this offending, was living in his car and struggling financially.

She said Sheridan did not have a drug addiction but his mental health was “pretty down at the time.”

“He’s been living in Gladstone on and off for the last 15 years,” Ms Ramos said.

She said post-offending, Sheridan had acquired affordable living accommodation.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Sheridan to three months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 12 months.

She also fined him $700 and convictions were recorded.