Burglar, car thief 'didn't feel safe in home' after break-in

IN what some may dub poetic justice, a burglar and car thief - who snuck into a home and nabbed a woman's keys - had his own home broken into and robbed.

Mitchell Francis Callaghan, 22, from Mackay faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, pleading guilty to two counts of car theft, stealing and contravening a police direction. His lawyer told the court Callaghan had been the victim of a robbery. Picture: Facebook

IN what could be described as poetic justice, a burglar and car thief had his own home broken into and robbed.

Mitchell Francis Callaghan's solicitor told a magistrate the repeat offender from Mackay - who snuck into a home and stole a woman's keys in his latest spate of crimes - felt unsafe in his home after it had been ransacked and items stolen.

Unsurprisingly, Magistrate Damien Dwyer was not particularly empathetic and said he hoped Callaghan had gained useful insight into how his victims must feel.

Callaghan, 22, a bricklayer from Mackay faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday via videolink from prison.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle, in North Mackay and Blacks Beach, stealing from a Chemist Warehouse and contravening a police direction to report to a station during August and September this year.

Summing up sentencing submissions by Prosecutor Bernhard Berger and defence solicitor Aaron Sellentin (of Barron and Allen Lawyers), Mr Dwyer said Callaghan had been on probation for theft offences, and parole, at the time.

Mitchell Francis Callaghan, 22, from Mackay faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, pleading guilty to two counts of car theft, stealing and contravening a police direction. Picture: Facebook

He said the North Mackay car theft came to the attention of the vehicle's owner when she was woken to a car revving - her car - as it left her driveway in the middle of the night.

"The informant states that she resides at that dwelling with her 10-year-old son,” Mr Dwyer said.

"That child said that he saw a male person enter the bedroom where they were sleeping and go to a desk. That person looked at the son for about three seconds.

"The offender has signalled to the child to be quiet and has then exited the bedroom. The child heard a rattling sound.”

Callaghan was later spotted by a witness driving the stolen car, which was found the next day.

In the other incidence of car theft at Blacks Beach, Callaghan stole keys from a handbag in the kitchen and then a car, which was locked up and parked in the driveway, Mr Dwyer said.

Callaghan had permission to be in the home, with a group of people, but did not have permission to take the car.

An associate told a person linked to the car Callaghan had "an outstanding drug debt” and the car would be taken to settle the debt.

The stealing offence revolved around Callaghan swiping items, such as condoms and deodorant, from the chemist shop and placing them in a backpack.

Mr Dwyer said when Callaghan was confronted by staff, he tried to leave.

"A member of the public has then tackled you and grabbed the backpack. You have then decamped the business and then attempted to ride away ... ,” he said.

Callaghan made admissions to police during interviews.

"He (Mr Sellentin) tells me you were going well for about seven months and then your pop died. Three days after that tragedy your girlfriend left you and you had been in a relationship for three years,” he said.

"Your dogs were taken from the back of your ute and your house was broken into and all your belongings were stolen.

"Perhaps you would have more insight now into how it feels when your belongings are taken, or unlawfully used - but perhaps not.

"After your house was broken into, you say, you did not feel safe in that home. That is exactly how that lady and her son must feel now, Mr Callaghan.”

Mr Dwyer said Callaghan, described as "addicted to marijuana”, suffered Asperger's syndrome and ADHD and had been homeless when he stole from the chemist.

No medical reports were tendered to the court, and it was said Callaghan had not been taking any medication.

Mr Dwyer said Callaghan was a young man, but had managed to rack up a "disgraceful history”, which included drug offences and burglaries.

"You were on parole at the time of the commission of these offences and it seems no action has been taken (by Probation and Parole) to revoke that parole,” he added.

Callaghan was sentenced to nine months jail in total, but will be eligible for parole on December 11, considering an early guilty plea and 65 days spent in custody before sentence.

He was fined $150 for skipping the required visit to the police station.

Originally published as Burglar, car thief 'didn't feel safe in home' after break-in