Shaemis Michael McCormack steals and shoves police at Sunshine Plaza while waiting to be sentenced

A Coast man displayed “absolute idiocy” when he ventured to a shopping centre to steal while waiting to be sentenced in court for other stealing offences.

Shaemis Michael McCormack was waiting to be sentenced for stealing matters in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday when he decided to use a brief adjournment to steal $184 worth of goods from Myer. Picture: File.

A Coast man displayed "absolute idiocy" when he ventured to a shopping centre to steal while waiting to be sentenced in court for other stealing offences.

Shaemis Michael McCormack was waiting to be sentenced for stealing matters in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday when he decided to use a brief adjournment to steal $184 worth of goods from Myer.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said a 53-year-old woman saw McCormack place items into a black Adidas bag before leaving the Maroochydore store at 1.30pm.

Sergeant Newman said a female police officer later located McCormack walking along the Riverwalk at the Sunshine Plaza and grabbed him by the right wrist to arrest him.

" … (McCormack) has shoved past the female police officer and in doing so has stumbled over another person before running over towards Coles," he said.

The court heard McCormack had the black bag over his shoulder as he ran through the Coles carpark but was later spotted without it while walking towards Hungry Jacks.

Two other officers found McCormack waiting for his previously adjourned sentence on level one of the Maroochydore Magistrates Court after security told them a man matching his description had entered.

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The Maroochydore resident originally faced seven charges including three counts of stealing, one of attempted stealing and obstructing police after he stole a number of items from Coles, Myer and JB Hi-Fi between July 6 and October 9, 2020.

He was charged with another count of stealing and obstructing police after his offences on April 7.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to the nine charges and was sentenced in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday.

McCormack had extensive history with similar offences, the court heard.

Sergeant Newman said McCormack's brazen behaviour on April 7 showed he had no remorse and no insight into his offending.

He said a prison sentence of 10 months with some actual time to be served would be appropriate.

"This defendant had the audacity once being found out to push a female police officer and run and seek refuge in the courthouse which we say is aggravating," he said.

Duty lawyer Rachel Holland said McCormack had been a long-term user of drugs and was diagnosed with bipolar by his GP.

"It's (the offending) indicative of someone who has mental health issues," she said.

"It was just absolute idiocy going to Myer.

"He can't explain why he did it … he is currently unwell (and) I don't believe a period of imprisonment would benefit him at all."

She said a suspended prison sentence as well as a prison sentence with an immediate release on parole would benefit McCormack who had engaged with a psychologist.

Magistrate Christopher Callaghan said Myer would benefit from McCormack spending time behind bars.

"It's brazen behaviour, it's behaviour that doesn't care for fellow citizens, it's behaviour that must be deterred," he said.

He placed McCormack on an eight-month suspended sentence for two years.

He was also given a 10-month prison sentence with a parole eligibility date after two months for the fresh charges.

McCormack will be released on parole on June 6.

Two days of pre-sentence custody were declared as time already served.

Originally published as Shaemis Michael McCormack steals and shoves police at Sunshine Plaza while waiting to be sentenced