Man sorry after attacking small business with tomahawk
Gympie region man who fled after a ‘hatchet job’ on small business was sobered up by his custody stay.
Gympie
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A MAN who smashed through the door of a small business with a tomahawk only to flee when a security alarm went off wants to apologise to the business owner.
Glenwood man Calum William Schoenmakers, 28, appeared in the dock in Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday after what his lawyer described as his first upsetting and eye-opening stay in custody.
He was remorseful for the $2000 worth of damage he caused to the business in a "hatchet job" on November 29, his lawyer said, and planned on apologising to the business owner and paying back the damages within two months.
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He had been on bail at the time of the offence and on Monday also faced court on two charges of breaching bail and one charge of possessing a knife in public on October 22.
Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell said Schoenmakers' crime against the business - attempting to enter a premises with the intent to commit an indictable offence - was serious and that he should be jailed for it.
"This offence is … on a small business in a small town in a year that not a lot of money has been made," she told the court.
"Crimes like this affect the morale on the community - when a small business is attacked.
"It's a complete and utter lack of respect while on bail."
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His lawyer said imprisonment would be excessive for his client.
He said his client, a former shed builder, had been in a toxic relationship and had been dealing with the passing of his father.
He had no history of property offending and that he had saved the community time and expense by pleading guilty.
His short time in custody had had a sobering and eye-opening affect on him and made him appreciate the privilege of being granted bail, he said.
Magistrate Hallin acknowledged his short criminal history and sentenced the man to a 12 month community service order to help with rehabilitation.
He ordered him to pay $880 restitution within two months.
"That's more than fair your honour," Schoenmakers said from the dock.
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