Parole dates of convicted Sunshine Coast criminals revealed
These 22 inmates are all spending Christmas behind bars this year, but they’re set to be released at various times in the new year. Find out who will be let back out.
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A serial rapist, a man who threatened to shoot a police officer’s family and a business owner turned arms dealer are some of the jailed Sunshine Coast criminals expected to be released in 2023.
The Sunshine Coast has been faced by a number of shocking crimes in 2022, from a child rapist who told police about his allure to a four-year-old girl to a Maleny chef who reversed at speed towards a car carrying two children on a remote road at night.
When an offender is being sentenced in court, they can be given a parole release date or a parole eligibility date - which means their release date will be determined by the Queensland Parole Board.
This list is comprised of 22 Sunshine Coast offenders who are awaiting their parole release date and are set to be released in 2023.
Luke James Colless
A violent serial rapist who had been found through a chance sighting on a true crime TV show was only jailed for two years for his vicious attack on a woman in Coolum.
During sentencing in Maroochydore District Court on September 23, 2021 it was revealed a Sunshine Coast woman had spotted her attacker on a true crime TV show in 2018, prompting her to go to police.
The monster she identified was Luke James Colless, a father known as the “bikeway rapist” for a series of brazen attacks on 11 women in Brisbane and the Gold Coast between 2006-2008.
Judge Michael Byrne sentenced Colless to a further two years in jail and pushed his parole eligibility date back nine months to February 1, 2023, for the rape of a then-23 year old woman in broad daylight at Coolum Beach in July, 2006.
The court heard the attack had taken place about 9am when Colless tackled the young woman to the ground and raped her while she walked along Coolum Beach in her bikinis.
Colless has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility date: February 1, 2023.
Ariel Jesse Pool
A child rapist who told police he felt an allure to a four-year-old girl’s innocence could be released from prison as early as next year.
Ariel Jesse Pool, then 34, was sentenced in Maroochydore District Court in July, 2020 to 7.5 years’ jail after he was found guilty of 14 charges including maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.
He told police that he felt slightly allured to the four-year-old after she was smacked.
Pool, who was not a relative of the child, is understood to become eligible for parole in January 2023.
A Queensland Corrective Services spokesman confirmed Pool was still in custody.
Pool has never appealed the court’s decision.
Parole eligibility: January 2023.
Paul Anthony Mould
A Redcliffe painter who physically attacked a woman, causing broken ribs and a collapsed lung, was sentenced in court.
Paul Anthony Mould, 51, was at a suburb in Redcliffe when he yelled at a woman and began to attack her, on August 17, 2021.
Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke said Mould pulled the woman’s hair, punched her face, threw her to the ground and kicked her hard several times in the chest and groin.
Ms O’Rourke said Mould then made a “callous” remark to her, saying what he was doing would get rid of her ex’s baby.
Ms O’Rourke said the victim wasn’t pregnant at the time and at some point during the assault, Mould smashed her phone with a hammer.
Mould has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility: March 17, 2023.
Luke Heginbotham
A drug-addict dad has been labelled a criminal who is “wasting his time on this planet” after he stole more than $44,000 worth of property from businesses and a home.
Luke Heginbotham began his string of offences in March 2021 where he smashed the glass door of a cafe at Birtinya and stole $6500 in cash.
He then took $16,000 in jewellery from a house in Wurtulla, none of which was recovered.
Heginbotham also stole two motorbikes and a trailer from properties around the Sunshine Coast and was seen riding one of the motorbikes, the Maroochydore District Court was told.
The 40-year-old also stole a mobile phone, number plates and an electric bike, and broke into a butcher and grocer at Nambour by smashing the glass doors, but didn’t take anything.
Heginbotham has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility date: October 25, 2023.
Corey Michael Jessop-Warnes
A father who threatened to have a police officer’s family shot faced court for a crime spree where he took a $10,500 car for a test drive and never returned.
A few days prior, Jessop-Warnes failed to stop at a random breath testing site and drove past at speed with his car mirror striking a wand the officer was holding, causing the mirror to break.
While in custody he also made a threat of violence to an officer, saying that people he knew with significant criminal histories would come and get his family shot.
Jessop-Warnes has not appealed his sentence.
Parole release date: May 22, 2023.
Tarik James Tyson
A young Sunshine Coast thief who has spent more of his adult life in jail than in the community has recently reoffended by breaking into a house and stealing a case of watches.
Tarik James Tyson, 22, was given two years’ prison with a parole eligibility date of February 6, 2023 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
Police prosecutor Brendan Newman told the court Tyson was a passenger in a stolen car on May 6 that had been taken on May 4, 2022.
Tyson was then involved in a night-time burglary offence on May 6, while the victim was inside their home.
Sergeant Newman said a display case containing eight watches and a pair of sunglasses was taken.
Tyson has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility date: February 6, 2023.
Alex Stevens
A Sunshine Coast man’s brazen crimes have caught up to him after he was punished for 57 charges that caused a total of $120,000 in “extensive” damages.
Alex Graeme Stevens, 21, was given three years’ prison with a parole eligibility date and disqualified from driving for four years in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on September 20, 2022.
Court documents revealed Stevens stole a blue Subaru Forester from a house in Nambour on Carter Rd and a Ford Ranger ute from a man’s garage in Woombye.
His next victim was a 32-year-old woman who had gone away for the weekend with her family.
Stevens broke into the house and found the keys to their Isuzu D-Max which he drove off in.
Stevens parked the stolen blue Subaru Forester out the front of Curtain Wonderland before he reversed at speed, colliding with the glass doors at the front of the business and causing major damage in excess of $30,000.
Stevens has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility date: August 19, 2023.
Benjamin Joel Henderson
A Urangan man was jailed after he stole two high end cars and traded them for chump change, while also paying off a drug dealer with stolen jewellery.
Police prosecutor Stephen Potter said the 25-year-old made off with a Toyota LandCruiser towing a trail bike on June 25 and offloaded it to a buyer for a measly $300.
The court was told it was later found on July 5 but had incurred $15,000 in damages.
Sergeant Potter said the Urangan man arranged to buy a high-end BMW for $8000 after taking it for a test drive in Runcorn on July 17.
Henderson ended up stealing the car and fleeing the scene, later selling the BMW in exchange for an electric scooter and $800 cash.
The court heard on another occasion on July 22 in Eli Waters, Henderson stole a $480 gold bracelet from a jewellery shop, which he later told police he wanted to use to pay off a drug debt.
Henderson has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: January 23, 2023.
Joshua James McCartan
A Wurtulla electrician and business owner has been jailed after he was caught by police supplying a weapon through the mail.
Joshua James McCartan said goodbye to his family in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday November 11 after he was ordered to serve actual jail time for supplying a barrel to a criminal for money.
Police prosecutor David Bradley told the court a joint operation by the police and Australian Border Force intercepted the package on December 20, 2021.
Senior Sergeant Bradley said investigations revealed the Wurtulla family man had been supplying major components of a weapon in exchange for cash.
McCartan has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: March 12, 2023.
Paul Keith Makin
A Sunshine Coast surveyor who acted as a one-stop shop for marijuana and weed cookies after successfully dealing drugs for almost two years until a routine traffic stop has been jailed.
Maroochydore District Court heard Paul Keith Makin, 43, had more than 40 customers while selling street-level marijuana and weed cookies, keeping track of his sales through ticksheets on post-it notes.
The Mountain Creek dad’s operation was busted open at a routine traffic stop in Coochin Creek by police on March 2, 2021, which revealed incriminating drug dealing messages on his phone.
Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks said post-it notes containing customer debt information was found in his vehicle along with cannabis seeds, two mobile phones and $15,760.
Ms Marks said the raid of Makin’s former Buddina home on March 3, 2021 uncovered 1.136kg of marijuana, 0.3g of meth, weed cookies, clip seal bags, a cryovac machine for packaging drugs, a taser and a vacuum.
His operation was detailed to the court which heard Makin would sell drugs for cash payments but would also sell on credit to trusted customers.
Makin has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: January 22, 2023.
Cameron Robert Goode
A former Noosa real estate agent pleaded guilty to a dozen counts of supplying cocaine after he assisted a dealer with sales and potential customers’ contact details.
Maroochydore District Court heard on November 28, 2022, Cameron Robert Goode had already served 356 days of a six-year sentence for dangerous operation causing death while intoxicated.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reported in December 2021 that Goode had swerved onto the wrong side of the road and collided with a 17-year-old girl who was driving her mother and great-grandmother along Noosa-Cooroy Rd on October 4, 2020.
The great-grandmother tragically died a day later on October 5.
Goode came back before the court for 12 counts of supplying cocaine which he pleaded guilty to.
He has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: June 7, 2023.
Sophie Trisha Lee Morgan
A court has heard how a Beerwah mother’s traumatic past led to 11 pages of criminal history including dangerous driving that put her passenger at risk.
Sophie Trisha Lee Morgan, 28, pleaded guilty to a raft of offences in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on November 22 and was given jail time.
Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said one of the more serious offences involved the mother-of-three driving disqualified and evading police by conducting a U-turn over double lines and into oncoming traffic.
Magistrate Raelene Ellis said Morgan stole one of her friend’s cars when she offered to give you a lift home.
Sergeant Nitschke said she had stolen the car on July 29 at Beerwah when her friend had stopped to drop another friend off.
He said Morgan had also broken into the same friend’s car that was in a garage and stole her laptop, camera, phone and clothing.
She has not appealed her sentence.
Release date: May 15, 2023.
Aleisha Lea McGovern
A 43-year-old Sunshine Coast mother will spend Christmas behind bars, after she spat in the face of a police officer during a public rampage.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on November 14 Aleisha Lea McGovern had the police called on her after she went on a public rampage and damaged a number of cars near Baden Powell St in Maroochydore on July 9.
Police prosecutor Tegan Smith said McGovern then lashed out at officers while they tried to arrest her, shouting “vulgar” abuse after she spat in an officer’s face, near his eyes and mouth.
McGovern has not appealed her sentence.
Release date: January 14, 2023.
Allen James Stirrett
A Maleny chef who reversed at speed towards a car carrying two children on a remote road at night and terrorised a man on another occasion will spend the next six months behind bars.
Alan James Stirrett, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle and two counts of threatening violence in Maroochydore District Court on December 6, 2022.
Crown prosecutor Sanaz Masoumi said on October 30, 2020, Stirrett was driving along Maleny Montville Rd and started tailing a woman’s car with two young girls in the back seat.
Stirrett suddenly stopped and reversed at speed towards her before jumping out of his car and shouted loudly as he walked towards the woman’s car before smacking the driver’s side door with his palm.
Stirrett also targeted another victim who was driving along Montville Flaxton Rd at 3.30am on June 7, 2020, where he threw glass bottles and cans of alcohol out the driver’s window.
Ms Masoumi said the man flicked on his high beams and slowed down to let Stirrett drive ahead of him but as they neared an intersection, Stirrett blocked the lane with his car.
“The defendant jumped out of his car with his hand behind his back and as he walked towards the complainant he swung his arm out and pulled out what the complainant believed was a pistol or a taser and yelled at him ‘you’re dead’,” she said.
Stirrett has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: June 7, 2023.
Jordan Troy Savage
A Bli Bli carpenter pleaded guilty to assaulting two men, including a “cowardly” stomp on the head that left his victim unconscious.
Maroochydore District Court heard Jordan Troy Savage was 23 when he was out drinking at Noosa Heads with a group of friends on December 29, 2021.
Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero said it was 2am on December 30 when Savage’s friend group yelled towards another group on the opposite side of the road at the Hastings St roundabout.
Ms Olivero said a fight broke out between the two groups and the 29-year-old victim was knocked to the floor by someone.
Savage then repeatedly punched the victim to the head and face before stomping on his head with his foot rendering him unconscious.
Ms Olivero said Savage stomped on his head a further two times while he was unconscious on the ground.
Savage has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: April 7, 2023.
Rhys Allen Pickels
A Sunshine Coast court has heard details about the terrifying moment a 30-year-old man sped towards a police officer who narrowly escaped being run over.
Rhys Allen Pickels pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 to 24 charges, including eight traffic offences as well as fraud, possessing drugs, trespass, breaking and entering, possessing a knife in public, breaching bail, failing to appear and stealing.
But one of the most serious charges was where Pickels almost mowed down a police officer on April 11.
The court heard Pickels approached the police car at speed and swerved to the left, narrowly missing the officer standing outside the police car.
Police prosecutor James Allen said Pickels did not slow down as he drove past.
Pickels would go on to commit a spate of offences, including breaking into his cousin’s house under the cover of night and stole $3620 worth of belongings.
Pickles has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: February 25, 2023.
Jessie Jordan Dale
A court heard tragic details behind a 25-year-old pool maker’s spate of offences, including a short, high-speed police chase through Coolum.
Jessie Jordan Dale appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on videolink on Tuesday, September 6, where he pleaded guilty to 32 charges.
The most serious charge related to when Dale led police on a short, high-speed chase through Coolum on January 16, 2022.
Police prosecutor James Allen said police tried to pull Dale over after he was spotted speeding, but he instead sped off at more than 110km/h and led police on a chase.
“(He drove) on the wrong side of the road, on blind corners and poorly lit areas (and) hit speeds of over 50km/h over the speed limit,” he said.
Dale has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility date: March 21, 2023.
Phillip Allan Clifford Smith
A Sunshine Coast trio sentenced for their involvement in a “sophisticated” business growing cannabis set it up to help during the pandemic as a way to make some extra money, a court has heard.
Philip Allan Clifford Smith, 39, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore District Court on July 11, 2022, to two counts of producing a dangerous drug and one count each of trafficking and possessing that drug.
The court heard Smith was one of two men who set up the growing operation at a Coolum property in late-2020 where they grew multiple cannabis plants in four cargo containers.
Crown Prosecutor Rebecca Marks said the operation had earnt the business about $45,900 in profit after the plants were sold to an unknown party from three separate crops.
She said the police seized about 27.2kg of wet leaves in April, 2019 at the Noosaville property.
Smith has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: January 11, 2023.
Maree Ann Johnson
A Sunshine Coast mum lasted only 11 days in freedom after being sentenced for dealing drugs before she was busted for trafficking meth in Maroochydore.
Maree Ann Johnson, 41, was handed more jail time after she pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court in early-May to trafficking ice over several months in 2021.
Court documents state detectives began an operation in June, 2020 targeting the drug trafficking in Maroochydore with the main player of the operation supplying meth to Johnson’s co-accused.
A police raid of Johnson’s home uncovered a plethora of drugs and utensils which included small amounts of MDMA, meth, marijuana, steroids, clip seal bags and syringes.
Overall 44 actual supplies were found on a phone, with the majority being ice, with another 14 offers of supply found.
Court documents state Johnson negotiated prices and had $47,000 of unexplained money go through her bank accounts.
Johnson has not appealed her sentence.
Parole eligibility date: June 15, 2023.
Sunshine Coast chef
A Sunshine Coast chef, who cannot be named for legal reasons, “forcefully” raped his stepdaughter after she asked him an innocent question, a court was told.
The then-33-year-old was sentenced to 7.5 years’ prison over the offence, but will be eligible for parole on August 20, 2o23.
The court was told the defendant had about eight alcoholic drinks when the eight-year-old approached him in the lounge room and asked for an ice cream, to which he asked “what do I get?”.
“Anything you want,” the girl replied.
He then raped her, the court was told.
The man was later arrested after the girl told her mother what had happened the next day.
Solicitor David Crews said on the night in question his client had been told some distressing information about his mother which triggered the drinking.
“He had a difficult upbringing … he witnessed domestic violence in the home,” Mr Crews said.
Judge Gary Long said the accused’s actions were a “significant breach of trust” and ordered he spend at least two years and three months behind bars before being eligible for parole.
Parole eligibility date: August 20, 2023.
Dylan Mark Cheers
A 24-year-old Sunshine Coast concreter has faced court after he was busted with a stash of drugs while behind bars on remand.
Little Mountain man Dylan Mark Cheers pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 31, 2022 to failing to appear and possessing a dangerous drug.
The court heard Cheers was arrested at a Maroochydore home on May 11, 2022 after he refused to go with police to the Maroochydore station for questioning about another matter.
Then, on May 26, Cheers was in custody on remand at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre in Wacol when CCTV footage captured him dropping a package outside a secure unit.
Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said 50 orange suboxone strips were found inside.
Cheers has not appealed his sentence.
Release date: December 5, 2023
Denley Russell Clarke
A former soldier who drove directly at a police car in an effort to escape botched his burglary plan when he broke the axle of his car after loading too many stolen items, a court heard.
Denley Russell Clarke was sentenced in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday to two-and-a-half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a string of 22 charges including two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle and entering a premise to commit an indictable offence.
The court heard Clarke was on parole when he attempted to steal $7700 of flooring from a Noosa Heads construction site on March 20.
“You broke into the building site and tried to take boxes of flooring away so much so that you over loaded your vehicle and broke the axle,” Magistrate Katherine Benson said.
Clarke caused $640 in damage while breaking into the site.
Between December, 18 2020 and December, 28 2020 Clarke also smashed the glass door of a Nanango home and stole coins off a table and carpet squares that he had bleed on.
Ms Benson said Clarke was trying to escape police on two occasions in April when he dangerously drove a stolen car.
Clarke has not appealed his sentence.
Parole eligibility date: May 16, 2023.
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