Copper, fuel thief Shane Daniel McDonald gets immediate parole to see son

Dramatic scenes have unfolded in a Queensland court where a drug-using boilermaker being sentenced for “mind boggling” burglaries found out his crash victim son’s life was on the line.

Shane Daniel McDonald, 37, carried out a “prolonged criminal enterprise” for about six months, stealing copper wire, a trailer and fuel. Victim businesses include Woorabinda Pastoral Company, Dawson coal mine and Fitzroy Water.

A copper-thieving boilermaker was facing many more months behind bars on Friday but an urgent call during his sentencing hearing in Rockhampton Magistrates Court changed everything.

Shane Daniel McDonald, 37, was informed by his defence lawyer his critically injured teen son had taken a turn for the worse.

His son had been in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital since he suffered life-threatening injuries in a motorbike crash at Norman Gardens on August 12.

Lawyer Samantha Legrady provided the update on the teen’s condition to her client as he was being sentenced on 27 charges stemming from a series of thefts at mines and businesses.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of enter premises by break and commit indictable offences, one attempt to enter premises and commit indictable offence, two enter premises with intent to commit, one possession of property suspected used in a drug offence, one possession of illicit drugs, five breaches of bail, one trespass, five enter premises and commit indictable offences, one fraud (dishonest use of bank card) and one stealing.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said McDonald carried out a “prolonged criminal enterprise” for about six months, stealing copper wire, a trailer and fuel.

Ms Legrady said her client, who started using methamphetamines when he was 30, stole the items to pay both his food and drug bills.

The court heard McDonald hit the same electrical business about five times, stealing copper and a camera, in a matter of weeks before looking outside of Rockhampton for more targets.

The business owner installed cameras, which McDonald stole, and hired security patrols which did scare McDonald off once only for him to return days later.

McDonald then stole a trailer from the Woorabinda Pastoral Company, which he illegally sold for $1000, and then a site at the Dawson Coal mine which he attended four times in six days in July before moving onto another mine site which he attended twice and siphoned fuel out of a vehicle.

McDonald, a father of six, was found in possession of marijuana, a used drug utensil and copper wire stolen from Fitzroy Water.

The court heard McDonald’s offending continued after his house was searched by police.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale described McDonald’s offending behaviour as “mind boggling” and explained the domino impact it had on those businesses and their employees already struggling in hard times.

Ms Legrady however asked that McDonald, who was a qualified diesel fitter and had been employed up until a few months before going into custody, be released from prison earlier than the one third customary time period so he could see his son.

She said his mother and aunt were at court in support and the family would arrange flights to get McDonald to Brisbane as soon as possible after his release from custody.

Ms Beckinsale agreed these were exceptional circumstances and sentenced McDonald to 18 months’ jail, declared 64 days presentence custody as time served with immediate release on parole.