Mitchell Ryan West jailed for seven month long crime spree, robbery of respected Townsville magistrate

A man who inflicted a terrifying robbery on a Townsville magistrate in her own home could not hold back tears as he was sentenced. Watch the video of his arrest.

The man who inflicted a terrifying robbery on a Townsville magistrate in her own home could not hold back tears as he was sentenced in court.

Mitchell Ryan West had only been on parole for five months before he spiralled into a crime spree which would span seven months and cover almost the entire length of the Queensland coast, from Coomera to Cairns.

Townsville District Court heard some of the offences involved West donning masks and wielding weapons such as a screwdriver and a tyre iron in his crimes.

In other offences, West targeted an elderly man running a fruit stand, and the employees of a convenience store and a bottle shop.

The court heard in one robbery at Redbank Plains, the owner of a vehicle jumped on the back of the car as West drove away, but managed to get off before he drove it through a gate.

Mitchell Ryan West.

West also racked up dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion offence charges as he headed further north.

But his “intense” spree came to an end on September 6, 2021, when the then 29 year old attempted to rob respected Townsville Magistrate Cathy Wadley in her own home on a semi-rural property south of Townsville.

The court heard West drove through the gates of the property, before trying to smash through a door with “whatever” he had in hand.

The Bulletin has previously reported West then demanded Ms Wadley’s car keys and stole her car.

Crown prosecutor Joshua Francis said West had an extensive criminal history with a rap sheet including grievous bodily harm, multiple burglary, robbery, assault, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and property offences – spanning back to when West was 18.

West on Friday pleaded guilty to all 37 charges against him before Judge Michael Byrne KC which included multiple counts of stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, evasion offences, enter dwelling with intent and armed robbery.

Mitchell Ryan West.

Barrister Michael Hibble said West was a product of his prejudicial upbringing and environment – and expressed surprise that his client had been granted parole, due to his recent past convictions of assaults on corrective services officers.

“He struggles out in the real world … he in fact knew he was going downhill quickly …,” Mr Hibble said.

In sentencing, Judge Byrne said he accepted West was “somewhat a danger” to society when he was out of jail, noting his “tragic” upbringing.

“ … You’re not a spring chicken anymore – but still relatively young, it’s terrible to see someone in this position,” he said.

West openly cried as his sentencing remarks were delivered.

He was sentenced to six years jail, with a parole eligibility date set at September 7, 2024.

A period of 445 days presentence custody was taken into account but not declared.

West was disqualified from driving absolutely.

Originally published as Mitchell Ryan West jailed for seven month long crime spree, robbery of respected Townsville magistrate