Mitchell Francis Callaghan jailed over Mackay crime spree

A man who brandished a kitchen knife in a fast food restaurant and then climbed onto the roof of a popular steakhouse has learned his fate over a crime spree.

A Mackay man brandished a large kitchen knife at a McDonalds and climbed on top of Hog’s Breath Cafe on June 14, kicking off a drug-fuelled crime spree.

Mitchell Francis Callaghan pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court to 10 offences including several break-ins, smashing a car window and attacking police while in custody.

The 27 year old reportedly relapsed following his release from jail after an extensive criminal history including allegedly helping buy a Cessna 402 aircraft that crashed while trying to smuggle cocaine into Australia from PNG.

His most ironic court appearance is likely when the repeat burglar told the magistrate he “did not feel safe” after his own house was robbed in 2017.

Callaghan also pleaded guilty to fleeing police after smoking an “unknown” substance with a glass pipe.

Michael Francis Callaghan faced Mackay Magistrates Court on September 15 on several charges. Picture: Contributed

Defence solicitor Geoff Govey told the court that his client was an experienced bricklayer, but was yet to seek help for his drug addiction.

“He says he’s never done a drug rehabilitation course before”, Mr Govey said.

“And it’s something he’s trying to complete.

“He’s got a trade, he’s got the ability to work.

“If he can keep off the drugs, he can be a contributing member of society.”

Govey said Callaghan’s offending began on June 14 when he had brandished a large kitchen knife in a McDonalds, before later climbing on top of the Hog’s Breath Cafe on Wood Street in central Mackay.

The court heard a car stolen from an Andergrove driveway the same night was found on June 18 with Callaghan’s fingerprints.

Callaghan’s previous criminal history included two counts of car theft, stealing and contravening a police direction.

The court heard on that June 17 he smashed a car window with a metal pole outside a home on Juliet St in South Mackay.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan said Callaghan’s previous burglaries made the break-ins “obviously the most serious of all these charges”.

On June 16 he went into a business with intent to steal some items.

“Your shoeprint was found there but there were no items taken from that premises,” Ms Hartigan said.

“There was also an enter premises with intent at the Central Queensland University.

“You did not yield anything from that (and) your shoeprint was found there.”

Mitchell Francis Callaghan from Grasstree Beach told police he tried to escape them because he panicked after smoking an 'unknown' drug through a glass pipe.

The court heard Callaghan also attempted to break in to a gym without success.

Magistrate Hartigan said Callaghan had spent three months in custody since June 17 and faced a further assault charge for banging a watch-house door into a police officer.

Callaghan was jailed for 30 months with convictions recorded.

Because he pleaded guilty, his release date was set for the usual third of a sentence on November 16 and he will be on parole for two years and three months.