Ex-NRL great Brett Dallas back in jail on stealing charges

Barely three months after being released from jail on parole, a former NRL speedster has laughed off his latest stealing incident that landed him back in custody.

A $50 maroon hoodie is the reason this Mackay former Origin great is back in custody.

The 1990s Maroon winger laughed over the video link from jail and said he found it “hilarious” that stealing a $50 jumper had landed him back behind bars for 26 days.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard Brett Dallas had been on a return to prison warrant when he brazenly took the hoodie from Myer and wore it out of the store.

In fact, the 47-year-old father had only been released from custody on April 19, 2021 when, barely three months later, he stole the clothing on July 8.

Brett Dallas tackles Paul McGregor in third 1995 State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium.

Prosecutor David Epstein said Dallas went to the store about 2.39pm and looked through various men’s clothing sections on level one of the Caneland Central store, selecting several items including a maroon hooded sweater worth $49.95.

He went into a fitting room, exiting some time later wearing the jumper and carrying several other items that he rehung before leaving the store out the main front entrance.

At no time did he try to pay for the jumper. His offending was captured on CCTV cameras.

The court heard Dallas still had about two years left on parole after he pleaded guilty in Mackay Supreme Court in April 2021 to a string of charges including aggravated ice possessing and stealing.

Dallas had also pleaded guilty to stealing in March 2019.

Former rugby league footballer Brett Dallas after leaving Mackay Magistrates Court in 2019.

Legal Aid Queensland defence solicitor Rosie Varley accepted her client had relevant history but argued the highest penalty he had previously received for theft was a fine.

She argued for Dallas to receive a wholly suspended jail sentence so he could avoid a parole eligibility date that would result in the former rugby league speedster spending another nine months in custody because of parole delays.

At this point, Dallas interrupted saying, “It’s a $50 jumper.”

“Yeah, it really wasn’t worth it,” Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan shot back.

At this point Dallas laughed and said, “It’s hilarious.”

“Well, it is because you’ve gone back to jail for 26 days,” Mrs Hartigan said, adding he was lucky to avoid a parole eligibility date.

Brett Dallas was released on parole in April 2021, but is now back in jail after offending barely three months after his jail release. Photo: Daryl Wright.

“The starting point is if you offend on parole you go to jail and you get a parole eligibility date.

“He thinks it’s hilarious that he’s stolen a jumper and it’s put him back into custody.

Ms Varley said her client was on a disability pension and his finances were looked after by the Public Trustee.

The court heard Dallas had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had engaged with prison mental health.

“What his attitude tells me is that there’s a very high likelihood that he’ll breach the suspended sentence and he’ll end up with a parole eligibility date – but that’s a matter for him,” Mrs Hartigan said.

Brett Dallas gave a peace sign to media when he was released from jail in April 2021, after pleading guilty in Mackay Supreme Court to a string of charges. He is back in jail after committing further offences barely three months after his parole release. Picture: Daryl Wright.

“At face value he has no remorse for his actions.

“He had been in jail for eight months and despite that it did not deter him from committing a further criminal offence three months into his parole.”

But Mrs Hartigan said the offending was not so serious that he should end up with a parole eligibility date.

He was handed a three-month wholly suspended sentence. Convictions were recorded.