Thomas Economidis sentenced for Gladstone Courthouse theft

Believing he had successfully pulled off a wallet crime within the walls of a Queensland courthouse, this man celebrated by shouting a group a round of McDonald’s meals. There was just one problem.

Thomas Frederick George Economidis was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

A man who pulled off a brazen theft while waiting outside a Central Queensland courtroom was busted thanks to CCTV security cameras.

Thomas Frederick George Economidis, 37, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to numerous charges including stealing and several drug related offences including cannabis possession.

The court heard that on the morning of February 1, Economidis was at Gladstone Courthouse when he committed the stealing offence.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said the male victim unknowingly dropped his wallet while inside the court building.

“The wallet fell under his (the victim’s) seat and (he) walked away,” Ms Leach said.

“A short time later, a female... picked the wallet up and walked away.

“The female handed the wallet to (Economidis) who then removed all the money from the wallet.”

The wallet was later found under a seat inside the court building but it contained no money.

The man who owned the wallet swiftly reported the incident to police and they reviewed CCTV footage from inside the court building.

Ms Leach said police, after watching the footage, found Economidis waiting outside a courtroom on the first level.

Thomas Frederick George Economidis.

During questioning, Economidis told police he had removed the money from the wallet because he was “struggling financially.”

“It was also noted (Economidis) had purchased food items from McDonald’s for himself and others,” Ms Leach said.

Economidis was arrested and taken to Gladstone Watchhouse.

“The $40 that was located (in Economidis’ possession) was returned to the victim,” Ms Leach said.

In court, the prosecution sought $60 restitution for the rest of the money that was stolen.

The court was told Economidis had an “extensive” 17-page criminal history which included dishonesty, property and drug offending.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said the stealing offence at the courthouse was “very much opportunistic.”

“He realises now how stupid it was,” Ms Ditchfield said.

In relation to Economidis’ background, Ms Ditchfield said he left home when he was 13 years old and he “quickly fell into the drug scene” and became homeless.

Ms Ditchfield said now, at 37, Economidis was drug free and he had a stable home.

She said Economidis’ brother was a manager at a Central Queensland mine and now that he had seen a “sufficient change” in Economidis’ behaviour, he was helping him to try and gain employment in the sector.

During sentencing in March, Magistrate Mary Buchanan placed Economidis on 12 months’ probation and ordered he perform 80 hours of unpaid community service.

She also ordered he pay $60 restitution.

Convictions were recorded.