Rockhampton copper wire thief Shane Daniel McDonald back in court

A copper wire thief, previously allowed early parole release in order to be with his critically injured teen son, has returned to court after a fresh twist in his case.

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 wire thief, shown leniency by a magistrate and allowed early parole in order to fly to see his critically injured teen son, was then charged by police more than a week later for offences stemming from the wire sales.

Shane Daniel McDonald was sentenced in October for 27 charges following a series of thefts at mines and businesses.

He was facing many months in prison when an urgent call during his sentencing hearing changed everything.

McDonald was informed by his defence lawyer, Samantha Legrady, 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.

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

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale accepted the exceptional circumstances and sentenced McDonald on October 6 to 18 months’ jail, declared 64 days presentence custody as time served with immediate release on parole.

However, it was revealed on February 28 that police didn’t charge McDonald for dishonestly gaining money from the copper wire which he stole from a business in Park Avenue until October 18.

McDonald pleaded guilty to the fresh five counts of dishonesty gaining cash on February 28.

His defence lawyer Jess King argued that had her client been charged with the dishonesty offences in time for them to be dealt with during his original sentencing in October, he would not have received much more of a penalty.

Ms King said the latest charges were also holding up his latest parole application and due to McDonald’s lengthy time in custody, he did not have capacity to pay restitution.

The court heard McDonald sold 145kg of copper wire across five days in February and April in 2023, gaining $1596.30 cash.

Ms Beckinsale convicted him of the offences but ordered no further punishment be imposed.

The convictions were recorded.