Dillon Alexanda Coulton pleads guilty to crime spree in Mackay region

A convicted carjacker who once forced a traumatised woman from her vehicle at knifepoint claimed he had no choice but to steal a $500 gold watch because he had ‘other things going on’. See what else he stole.

Dillon Alexanda Coulton pleaded guilty to nine offences including running off with a gold watch valued at $500 while trying it on at a jewellery store within Caneland Central.

A convicted carjacker who once forced a traumatised woman from her vehicle at knifepoint claimed he had no choice but to steal a $500 gold watch because he had “other things going on”.

The 29 year old brazenly did a runner from the Mackay jewellery store while wearing the item.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard it was part of a crime spree Dillon Alexanda Coulton committed over about two and a half months between before he was arrested and remanded in custody.

It began in December 2024 when he was busted driving a car less than one month after his licence was disqualified by a court order.

In January 22, 2025 Coulton walked into Angus and Coote at Caneland Central and tried on a gold Seiko watch valued at $525.

“You then, while trying it on, ran out of the store without making any attempt to pay for it,” Magistrate Anna Smith told the court.

Coulton was captured on CCTV.

“When you were spoken to, you said that you were forced to go and steal the watch due to other things going on. You didn’t have a choice,” Ms Smith said.

On February 12 at the Coles at Canelands Coulton stole a $17oo iphone 15 plus mobile that had accidentally been left at check out – he was again caught by CCTV and police have sought $1399 restitution for the phone.

That same day he put about $60 worth of fuel in a grey Ford Territory before telling the servo attendant he had no money to pay.

Days later it was reported Coulton had stolen a television while staying a Haliday Bay Resort while staying there with a woman for two nights.

Dillon Alexanda Coulton pleaded guilty to nine offences including running off with a gold watch valued at $500 while trying it on at a jewellery store within Caneland Central.

The court heard the couple had been due to check out on February 16 but when they failed to check out a cleaner went to the unit and saw the television, worth $250, had been taken.
It was found at Coulton’s property. He claimed it belonged to his partner but was unable to provide any proof of purchase.

Coulton’s final offence occurred about March 2 when he smashed his way into Fulton Hogan Construction at Greenmount and rifled through a desk, stealing car keys for a 2022 white Toyota HiLux that was also taken.

Police found the vehicle the next day and CCTV footage from a foodstore caught Coulton getting out of and then abandoning the ute.

Coulton pleaded guilty to nine charges including enter premises and commit indictable offence, stealing, disqualified driving and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court heard Coulton had previously received jail terms for similar offending and at the time was both on a suspended sentence and parole for like offending when he committed his latest crime spree.

Ms Smith also referred to the time Coulton was jailed for three years for an armed robbery. High on meth he had taken a woman’s vehicle at knifepoint from the underground carpark at Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre in 2021 and then dangerous drove all over the region.

Ms Smith accepted his latest offending was all opportunistic, but said stealing the television while not sophisticated certainly had more planning than running off while wearing the watch.

“You stole to support a drug habit,” Ms Smith said.

The court heard he had been addicted to heroin since his mother died three years ago.

He also had work available at a piggery on his release.

Coulton was jailed for 15 months, cumulative on a previous sentence with parole eligibility in August.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

There were also 80 days on remand that could be declared time already served. Convictions were recorded.