Dean Adam Birkett pleads guilty to stealing copper wire while on bail for Goosies ram raid

A culprit behind the devastating ram-raid that destroyed a North Mackay bowls club was caught stealing $3000 of copper wire while on bail.

An Ooralea man stole $3000 of copper wire and was linked to the theft of an additional tonne while on bail for an infamous ram-raid which destroyed a North Mackay bowls club.

Dean Adam Birkett broke into Ergon Energy on June 21, 2021 while he was on bail for ram raiding Goosies Sport and Recreation Club foyer.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Birkett and his co-accused were caught on CCTV slipping under the chain fence stealing copper wire worth $3000.

Birkett was also charged with receiving more than a tonne of copper wire which was believed to have been stolen on three separate occasions in June.

The former electrician was found driving disqualified twice on March 8 and May 22.

Dean Adam Birkett broke into Ergon Energy on June 21 2021 while he was on bail for the ram raiding Goosies Sport and Recreation Club foyer.

On March 8 2021, Birkett used a debit card 16 times resulting in fraud charges.

He appeared via videolink in Mackay Magistrates Court after previously being sentenced to two and a half years jail for ram raiding Goosies foyer.

The father pleaded guilty on January 20 to stealing, entering premises with intent and committing an indictable offence, unlawful use of motor vehicle, possession of utensils, two counts of disqualified driving, three counts of receiving tainted property and four counts of possessing tainted property.

Birkett’s lawyer Aaron Sellentin said his client had a problem with drugs and committed the offences to fuel his drug habits.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer took into account Birkett’s history of offending.

“You’re a classic drug addict,” Mr Dwyer said.

Birkett was sentenced to 15 months in jail with a parole release date set at April 21, 2022.

He was disqualified from driving for five years and convictions were recorded for all matters.