Thief's record includes dozens of burglaries, car thefts

A NORTH Mackay crook whose record spans more than 50 burglary and car theft offences has confessed to another crime spree.

Levi James Brown, 24, of North Mackay. Picture: Facebook

A NORTH Mackay crook whose record spans more than 50 burglary and car theft offences has confessed to another crime spree.

Levi James Brown's criminal history includes at least 25 burglaries and 26 car thefts, alongside stealing, dangerous driving and other offences.

On Tuesday, the 24-year-old fronted Mackay Magistrates Court via videolink from prison.

Brown wore a face mask to protect against a mumps outbreak in Capricornia Correctional Centre.

He pleaded guilty to 10 new charges, including five counts of car theft, two petrol drive-offs and one count each of burglary, attempted car theft and possessing tainted vehicle registration plates.

The crimes were committed between July 3 and July 11 last year in Andergrove, Farleigh, Kuttabul, Mount Pleasant, Racecourse, South Mackay and Te Kowai.

Prosecutor Bernhard Berger withdrew several charges, offering no evidence.

Mr Berger told the court in one instance Brown crashed a stolen Mercedes before making off in a stolen Hyundai and evading police.

Brown drove the Hyundai to a Te Kowai home and stole jewellery, a handbag and car keys before driving off in a stolen Toyota four-wheel drive.

Soon after, Brown was arrested driving a stolen Mazda four-wheel drive.

"In my submission, (it's) a crime spree, essentially," Mr Berger said.

"Of particular significance is the aggravating feature of the defendant's criminal record, which consists of no less than 25 enter premises related offences, your honour. 26 unlawful use of a motor vehicle-related offences, five fail to stops, four dangerous operations of a motor vehicle, three receiving tainted property and nine stealing charges, your honour. Among other offences as well, drug misuse offending."

Brown had already served two years and 10 months behind bars for prior offending, Mr Berger said.

Defence barrister Phillip Moore told the court Brown's troubles with the law began when he started using drugs at age 14, and particularly ice at age 18.

Mr Moore said the "wheels fell off" and Brown spent a considerable period of time behind bars.

Brown had, however, spent about 11 months on the straight and narrow after moving to Brisbane in 2016, Mr Moore said.

He had immersed himself in volunteer work, before moving back to Mackay and falling back into drug use.

Mr Moore asked Mr Dwyer to consider Brown's prospects of rehabilitation.

He also pushed Mr Dwyer to consider immediate parole, as opposed to adding to Brown's current jail-term, which ends on October 9.

Mr Dwyer described the argument about avoiding a "crushing" sentence as "compelling".

The part-heard sentence was adjourned to March.

Originally published as Thief's record includes dozens of burglaries, car thefts