Reece Plant-Bates pleads guilty to e-bike, e-scooter stealing spree

A Sunshine Coast father has almost been deported after admitting to stealing expensive electric scooters and bicycles before fleeing from police in a futile foot chase.

Reece Plant-Bates faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court by video from prison on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

A Maroochydore man will pay back no restitution following his “premeditated and calculated” streak of stealing high-end bicycles and scooters.

Reece Plant-Bates had been on a crime spree from April 20 to May 2, which began when he stole wire cutters from Bunnings Warehouse at Maroochydore before he tried to take an e-scooter from the shop’s car park.

Police prosecutor Shane Raison said the 23-year-old then went to the Sunshine Plaza and stole an electric scooter from a bike cage valued at $1800.

The next day Plant-Bates and friends went to the Cotton Tree Caravan Park where he stole a $6500 mountain bike, however an apple tag on the bike led the victim to his home. The bike was returned.

Senior Sergeant Raison said Plant-Bates returned to the caravan park again days later and looted two high-end e-bikes, valued at $3000 and $6500. Only the first bike was recovered.

Plant-Bates pleaded guilty on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

The 23-year-old also stole an $800 mountain bike from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and pilfered a $4000 bicycle from the Seamark on First resort at Mooloolaba.

Plant-Bates’ then ran from police on May 2 along Aerodrome Rd at Maroochydore to avoid arrest, however he was apprehended following a short pursuit.

Senior Sergeant Raison said this was not opportunistic but deliberate offending where he targeted particular areas for stealing including the Cotton Tree Caravan Park, which was frequented by holiday-makers.

The court heard Plant-Bates spent five months on remand until court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to 14 charges including five counts of stealing, two of wilful damage and two of entering a premises with intent.

Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper pushed for Plant-Bates to receive a jail sentence of less than 12 months, otherwise he would be deported back to the United Kingdom where he was born.

Plant-Bates was born in England. Picture: Facebook

Mr Cooper told the court the 23-year-old came from a prejudicial upbringing before he migrated to Australia.

During his life in Australia he worked as a removalist and became a father, however, battled with ice addiction which fuelled his stealing spree.

Mr Cooper said Plant-Bates co-operated greatly with police and made admissions. The court heard the removalist was on parole at the time.

Acting Magistrate Janelle Boegheim acknowledged the apology letter Plant-Bates wrote to the court, his family support, his prejudicial upbringing and his rehabilitation from drugs.

Ms Boegheim jailed Plant-Bates for 11 months and 14 days, and gave him a parole eligibility date as of Tuesday.

She said she was aware the court sentenced the 23-year-old to 11 months’ jail after serving 87 days in custody for other offences on February 1, however she was not sure if deportation was taken into account.

The thousands of dollars of restitution was not ordered by the magistrate as the court heard the Maroochydore man had no capacity to pay it back.