Serial thief Daniel John Phillips given stern warning in Maroochydore court

A concreter from Maroochydore has been warned he could end up in prison if he continues stealing from businesses. Read about his latest New Year’s Day theft:

A Maroochydore serial thief has been given a stern warning as he was sentenced in Maroochydore court for his latest stealing spree.

Daniel John Phillips, 43, has been committing dishonesty offences since 1997 and continues to find himself back before the court.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell said Phillips had stolen clothing to the value of $257 from Tarocash in the Sunshine Plaza on New Year's Day, 2022.

“The staff member observed him placing the items under his T-shirt … she asked him if he was going to pay for the items but he left and security were called,” Mr Burrell said.

Phillips was also charged with stealing two energy drinks and sunglasses from a service station in Southport.

Daniel John Phillips leaves Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

The concreter pleaded guilty to the two offences of stealing in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday.

Duty lawyer Rachel Holland said Phillips was a single dad of two daughters.

“He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression and PTSD,” Ms Holland told the court.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis pointed out Phillips’ history of dishonesty offences, telling the court he had stolen on five occasions in 2021.

Phillips also committed dishonesty-related offences in 2020 on various dates, fraud in 2018 and the offending dated back to 1997.

Daniel John Phillips leaves Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

“What concerns me is that you are just a dishonest person,” Ms Ellis said.

“If you keep coming back before the court for taking other people’s belongings that don’t belong to you there is one place you will go and that is prison.

“You need to stop stealing.”

Ms Ellis said Phillips’ excuse that his new flat mate had encouraged him to steal didn’t explain his lengthy history.

She fined Phillips $800 and recorded convictions.