Eddie Hill in Rockhampton court for stealing from Big W

Headphones and two pairs of shoes were on a Rockhampton thief’s wish list when he hit up Big W and made off with the items without paying.

Eddie Hill, 46.

Headphones and two pairs of shoes were on a Rockhampton thief’s wish list when he hit up Big W and made off with the items without paying.

Eddie Hill, 46, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on May 25 to one count of stealing and eight counts of breaching bail conditions.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said Hill, a father and grandfather, went to Big W in Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre on March 1 with an unknown woman and stole headphones and two pairs of shoes, concealing the items as he left the store.

Ms Brown said the total value of the items was $86 and that restitution was not sought.

Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre. Picture: Chris Ison

She said Hill, who was on bail, had also failed to report to North Rockhampton Police Station on March 6 and seven times between April 10 and May 22.

She said police questioned Hill after finding him at an address in North Rockhampton on May 23 and that he told officers he had a death in the family and struggled with that so stopped reporting.

However, Ms Brown said Hill told police the family member had died on May 18.

Defence lawyer Pierre Lannersdorf said his client started using marijuana at 15 years old, amphetamines at 17 years old and methamphetamine about six years ago.

Mr Lannersdorf said his client started going to Drug ARM in the past year.

“He is trying to better himself,” he said.

Hill was sentenced to three months’ prison, suspended for 12 months.

He was also fined $400 with criminal convictions recorded.