Sukhdeep Singh Johal sentenced after stealing, possessing drugs and driving illegally

An international engineering student has narrowly dodged deportation after shoplifting thousands of dollars from technology retailers all over South East Queensland and incurring $16,000 of driving fines.

An international engineering student has narrowly dodged deportation after swindling thousands of dollars from technology retailers all over South East Queensland and incurring a $16,000 government debt.

An international engineering masters student, with a $16,000 government debt, an addiction to methamphetamines and shoplifting more than $5,000 of technology, has been sentenced for his “deplorable” behaviour.

Sukhdeep Singh Johal, 35, appeared before the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 13 2023.

He pleaded guilty to forty five charges including thirteen counts of stealing technology, four counts of driving while disqualified by a court, five counts of failing to appear at court, six counts of driving with a suspended licence, four counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of obstructing a police officer.

The court heard Johal shoplifted headphones, computer accessories, CCTV cameras and a speaker from stores all over South East Queensland including; Harvey Norman, Optus, Telstra, The Good Guys and JB-HiFi between September 2022 and June 2023.

A Police Prosecutor said Johal was on a probation order and a suspended prison sentence at the time he committed the offences.

“There are a sheer quantity of charges before the court and imprisonment is a last resort we have reached,” the Sergeant said.

“This type of offending affects the community as a whole, he clearly needs supervision … he has a four page criminal history.

“It is clear the probation has not worked and we must denounce this type of behaviour,” she said.

A Parole Officer told the court Johal was completely disengaged while he was on parole.

“He was referred to drug intervention but due to disengaging he received no help … we have exhausted all avenues,” she said.

Johal’s lawyer said he is from India and became homeless after the breakdown of his relationship several years ago.

“He came to Australia on a student visa in 2018 and while on the streets started using substances, only to later realise what he had been using was meth,” a lawyer said.

“He wants to pay restitution and to become clean for the first time in a long time.

“He would like to try and remain in the country and return to complete his masters degree,” he said.

The Magistrate acknowledged Johal’s pleas of guilty and took his 127 days in pre-sentence custody into consideration.

“Your history is of some concern and your traffic history is deplorable,” the Magistrate said.

“You say in your letter that drugs have made you slip up and you were caught up with the wrong group of friends, I would suggest they are not your friends.

“I am not prepared to make any orders that will see you deported but I must disqualify you from driving.

“You are not welcome to drive on any Australian roads with any licence.

“Orders for imprisonment is the only penalty I can impose upon you, to act as a deterrence to you,” he said.

Johal was disqualified from driving for eight years and was sentenced to serve 18 months and fourteen days in prison, with his 127 days considered time already served.

Convictions were recorded.