Lachlan James Michael Riley fronts Toowoomba Magistrates Court for stealing offences

After surviving a horror crash in 2021, and suffering a traumatic brain injury as a result, a Toowoomba man has faced court for repeated stealing offences.

Lucky to survive a car crash in early 2021, and suffering a traumatic brain injury as a result, a Toowoomba man has faced court charged with multiple stealing offences.

Lachlan James Michael Riley faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to stealing, attempted stealing, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, public nuisance and possessing tainted property.

The court was told police found the 33-year-old behind Toowoomba Harvey Norman about 4am on May 20, 2021, in possession of a brand new toaster.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said police suspected the item to be stolen, as the store had a bin behind a chain-link fence where damaged and faulty items were disposed of, and the toaster was a brand sold by the store.

On October 28, Riley went to Toowoomba South Post Office in Kearneys Spring, where he made off with a $129 wireless speaker without paying, with the incident caught on CCTV.

The court was told two days later Riley entered Coles Toowoomba North where he took a $178 security camera system from a shelf and attempted to disguise it among other belongings.

Senior Constable Willson said when Riley was confronted by staff he claimed he had bought it at another store, before leaving it behind as he left the premises.

A month later on November 25, police were called to Wilsonton Shopping Centre to reports of Riley yelling and screaming at other shoppers, as well as throwing rubbish at bystanders.

The court was told police were called and had to escort Riley from the premises, who went on to abuse the officers, calling them “dogs”.

On December 3, 2021, police were again called to Harvey Norman Toowoomba where Riley was found loitering at the rear of the store. The court was told a police search of Riley uncovered various vacuum parts and diazepam tablets.

Riley’s solicitor Julia Molloy, told the court her client suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car crash in early 2021 and since then had struggled with drug and alcohol dependence, as well as periods of homelessness.

Ms Molloy said her client’s offending began in 2007 after the death of his father, while he had struggled with mental health issues in the past he was receiving support in the community, with no offences committed in the past seven months.

Magistrate Geoffrey Seaholme sentenced Riley to three months jail, wholly suspended for 12 months, as well as 12 months probation. He was also fined $300, and ordered to pay $129 restitution.

Originally published as Lachlan James Michael Riley fronts Toowoomba Magistrates Court for stealing offences