Serial meat and booze thief Craig Michael Orr ordered to pay back thousands

An Ipswich dad’s sticky-fingered crime spree landed him an expensive date with court.

A combination of mental health problems and meth was behind a stealing spree by an Ipswich dad who made off with meat, groceries and clothes worth more than $9000, a court has heard.

The court heard Craig Michael Orr stole alcohol from BWS Ipswich and Star Liquor Brassall, as well as groceries — mostly meat products — from Riverlink Woolworths and Coles and Brassall’s Woolworths.

Police prosecutor Bridie O’Shea said at the time of the offences Orr was on an intensive correction order, which he breached by stealing and not complying with a court order.

The breach of the court order was deemed more serious than the theft, Senior Constable O’Shea said.

Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough said Orr was diagnosed with a number of mental health issues including drug induced psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Acting Magistrate Rob Turra said Orr’s offending had worsened in conjunction with the decline of his mental health and increased amphetamine use.

He sentenced Orr, who pleaded guilty to nine charges of stealing, to six months’ jail with immediate parole.

The 134 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared time served.

Orr was also ordered to pay restitution to the businesses.