Max Peter Nation: Man jailed for brazen theft of Kaisercraft, Just Cuts Ipswich

A brazen thief who cannot kick his stealing addiction for love of the “adrenaline rush” it provides has faced court after targeting two well-known Ipswich businesses.

A love for stealing and the “adrenaline rush” that comes with it has once again landed a man in jail, a court has heard.

Max Peter Nation, 29, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday, April 22 via video link from custody, where he pleaded guilty to three charges including entering a premises and committing an indictable offence and possessing used utensils or pipes.

The court heard the three offences were committed on December 17 last year and January 5, earlier this year.

On two occasions, Nation entered a store at Riverlink Shopping Centre – the first being craft shop Kaisercraft, the second being hairdresser Just Cuts – and approached the cash register.

He was successful in stealing about $300 from the register at the hairdresser.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Turnbull told the court Nation had a relevant criminal history and could be considered a “recidivist property offender” with a “substantial” risk of reoffending.

Max Peter Nation, 29.

Sgt Turnbull said the 29-year-old had been afforded numerous sentencing options in the past that would keep him out of custody but he continued to reoffend.

“He’s regarded his stealing as a habit and an addiction that he was unable to stop,” Sgt Turbull said.

“He said he liked the adrenaline rush associated with the stealing.”

Sgt Turnbull said Nation also admitted to having issues with gambling and a large amount of debt, which partly motivated his behaviour.

Defence lawyer Kate Jamieson told the court her client had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and required intensive support, having been hospitalised more than 15 times since 2012.

She argued his offending was at the “lower level” of gravity for the charge.

“There was no violence or damage to persons or business and the loss to the business was limited,” Ms Jamieson said.

Max Peter Nation, 29.

She said the fact her client offended just 10 days after he was released on parole last year was mitigating, as there was only a short amount of time for parole to affect his behaviour.

Magistrate Leanne Scoines noted Nation’s “substantial” offending history which included stealing, fraud, and enter premises.

“His mental health does reduce his culpability …,” she said.

Ms Scoines said also that his attitude toward offending, including his “temptation, excitement, and even addiction to stealing”, must be considered.

She sentenced Nation to an 18-month period of probation for the first enter premises offence committed and 12 months’ imprisonment for the second, wholly suspended for 14 months.

The 100-odd days he had spent in presentence custody was not declared time served.

Convictions were recorded.