Marc Christian McClintock sentenced for attempted sex worker fraud

A serial fraudster who used “deceit” to try and gain the services of an escort landed in court when the cluey sex worker caught on to his saucy swindles. Read what he did:

A serial fraudster who used trickery while trying to gain sexual favours from escorts had only just been released from parole for the same offending when he tried the saucy swindle.

Marc Christian McClintock was sentenced to 15 months prison with immediate parole in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted fraud.

McClintock tried to gain sexual favours from escorts in Mooloolaba on October 2 and 6, 2021.

Outside court police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said McClintock used “deceit” to try and trick the licenced sex worker into performing sexual favours.

“He made contact, made certain promises, didn’t follow through (and) they became suspicious,” he said.

McClintock tried to defraud the sex worker for a second time before his ruse came to and end when the escort recognised him and notified police.

McClintock, who has borderline personality disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, had a lengthy history of fraudulent activity.

In October, 2019 the 36-year-old was previously jailed for two years and four months’ with a parole eligibility date of September 8, 2020 after he tricked an escort into providing her services for $7000, which he never stumped up, and falsely promised another escort $16,000 for a weekend’s work in 2018.

McClintock committed the two counts of fraud just five weeks after he was released from jail for defrauding a car dealership out of $50,000 and swindling other escorts out of about $30,000.

McClintock later appealed his sentence in Brisbane District Court and he was granted immediate parole on June 12, 2020.

Judge David Reid ruled the sentence imposed was “manifestly excessive” and shaved 16 months off McClintock’s sentence.

In Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday Sergeant Ruddiman mentioned McClintock’s fraudulent history.

“These matters involve the same class of victim and the exact same goal in mind by the defendant,” he said.

“ … However in these matters the victim became aware that the defendant had a previous interaction with her and ceased contact.”

Sergeant Ruddiman suggested an 18-month prison sentence with McClintock to serve at least one third.

“The defendant has not completed the fraud however he did not desist on his own volition, the offence was discontinued due to the fact that complainant caught on to his fraudulent intentions,” he said.

Marc Christian McClintock was given an immediate parole release date after he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted fraud. Stock image

He said a letter of apology written by McClintock contradicted a mental health report that said he had a limited amount of empathy.

“It (mental health report) details he has very low levels in my submission of empathy or any real insights into the offending as he doesn't have any ability to have true insight into what he is doing,” he said.

Sergeant Ruddiman said his past behaviour could show a risk of reoffending.

Solicitor Neesha Maidwell said the Sunshine Coast man’s pleas of guilty, admissions to police and apology letter showed his genuine remorse.

“Which in my submission does show that he shows insight into his offending, accepts responsibility for his actions and also outlines changes he wants to implement upon release from custody,” she said.

Ms Maidwell said McClintock’s many intellectual disabilities and mental health issues including anti-social personality disorder reduced his criminality.

“Because he is someone that does present with a number of diagnosis which has a clear impact on his offending – namely impulsiveness, egocentricity, anger and severe impairment in his ability to maintain social expectation,” she said.

She also accepted his previous criminal convictions had to be considered.

Ms Maidwell noted the mental health report stated McClintock was substantially interested in implementing life changes and motivated for treatment.

“That is consistent with the letter he has provided to the court where he wants to re engage with treatment and become a contributing member of society,” she said.

The court heard McClintock had engaged with a doctor to get a mental health plan in November shortly after his offences.

Ms Maidwell said the mental health report statements regarding McClintock’s likelihood to feel “lasting remorse” didn’t reduce his plea of guilty or apology letter.

Ms Maidwell suggested a 12 to 15-month prison sentence with an immediate parole release date

“ … There was no loss suffered by the complainant on either occasion, it was simply an attempt,” she said.

The court heard McClintock’s matters were initially set for trial before case conferencing saw three charges dropped.

The 36-year-old later pleaded guilty to the two fraud charges in July, 2022.

Magistrate Barry Barrett noted McClintock’s offending and personal circumstances and said it was clear he now had strong family support.

He said McClintock had already served roughly five months of his 15-month sentence and issued an immediate parole release date.

McClintock’s 167 days of pre-sentence custody were marked as time already served.