Thief admits lengthy record is 'shocking'

A VIOLENT thief whose extensive criminal history includes tackling an elderly man for his wallet has described his own record as "shocking”.

Daniel Murphy William Tyson Panschow, of Proserpine, faced the District Court in Mackay on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

A VIOLENT thief whose extensive criminal history includes tackling an elderly man for his wallet has described his own record as "shocking”.

But Daniel Murphy William Tyson Panschow (right) walked free from court on Monday, after confessing to his most recent offence, bashing a stranger and stealing his wallet while on parole.

The 27-year-old Proserpine man appeared in the District Court in Mackay on Tuesday, pleading guilty to common assault and stealing at Proserpine on October 14, 2016.

Panschow had also been charged with robbery, but prosecutor Melissa Wilson withdrew that charge.

Ms Wilson said Panschow's record began at age 15 and included 26 appearances before the courts, many of a similar nature. When Panschow was 19, he threatened the senior citizen and took him to the ground, stealing a wallet that contained $660.

The crimes before the court came about after Panschow confronted a stranger outside the Prince of Wales Hotel in Proserpine.

"He asked how much money the complainant had, there was a heated argument,” Ms Wilson said.

"The defendant struck him three to four times before picking up his mobile phone that the complainant had dropped before he ran away.

"The phone has never been returned to the complainant.”

Defence barrister Paul Rutledge told the court Panschow had had a "troubled childhood”, in which his parents repeatedly moved around Australia.

He said Panschow dropped out of school in Year 9 and began smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol, leading to escalating crime and an "entire life on Newstart (Allowance)”.

Mr Rutledge said Panschow had been staying out of trouble and had "got himself a dog”, which he was "clearly attached to”.

Mr Rutledge said Panschow had largely isolated himself from friends and had cut down his drinking.

Judge Smith lectured Panschow about his lengthy criminal record.

Panschow conceded his record was "pretty bad, it's shocking” and said time he had spent in jail had "a very big effect on me, your honour”.

Judge Smith believed Panschow was "on the way to rehabilitation” and noted his timely pleas.

Panschow was placed on an intensive correction order (ICO) for nine months. Offenders on an ICO must abide by reporting and other conditions, such as counselling and drug testing.

Originally published as Thief admits lengthy record is 'shocking'