Rockhampton man Paul William Hadley sentenced for stealing

A Rockhampton man with a 15-page criminal record and methamphetamine addiction has been jailed after he gave stolen tools to his drug dealer and got drugs in exchange.

A Rockhampton man has been sentenced in Rockhampton Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to 21 offences.

A Rockhampton man with a 15-page criminal record and methamphetamine addiction has been jailed after he gave stolen tools to his drug dealer and got drugs in exchange.

Paul William Hadley, 29, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 14 to five counts of receiving tainted property, four counts each of stealing and failing to appear in court, three counts each of possessing tainted property and enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, and one count each of breaching bail and unlawfully possessing suspected stolen property.

Police prosecutor Mirren Smith said Hadley was found with thousands of dollars worth of tools.

“This type of crime is quite prevalent in our community and it is very frustrating for the people who owned these tools as they are earning a living the right way,” she said.

Ms Smith said Hadley finished parole for like offending in September 2022 and was back committing offences in Rockhampton by December.

She said $403.08 restitution was sought.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client started using marijuana at 14 years old and meth at 21.

Ms Legrady said the 31 days her client had been in Capricornia Correctional Centre and had been clean from drugs.

“Unfortunately, drugs are accessible while in custody, but he has instructed he has said no,” she said.

“He has said that he wants to stay away from drugs.”

Ms Legrady said her client stole for drugs.

“He would steal tools out of the back of utes and take them to his drug dealer and get drugs in exchange,” she said.

“He was using one to two points a day of methamphetamine. It had completely taken over his life.”

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale sentenced Hadley to nine months’ prison, with parole release on June 14, 2023 and 31 days of pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.

Hadley was also ordered to pay $403.08 restitution and the items were forfeited to police.

Criminal convictions were recorded.