Hospital security guard burgled home after being called names

A security guard at a facility for violent mentally ill offenders burgled an acquaintance who called him a junkie.

Queensland Health employee Mitchell James Hickman (right) leaves Richlands Magistrates Court with his lawyer.

The younger generation is a bunch of delicate princesses who can’t handle being called names, a magistrate said after sentencing a man who was labelled a “junkie’’ by an acquaintance.

Queensland Health worker Mitchell James Hickman was so incensed at the name calling that he broke into the acquaintance's Riverhills home and stole $9000 of goods and caused $1000 damage to a rollerdoor, a court heard.

It is believed Hickman is a security guard at The Park, a mental health facility at Wacol in Brisbane’s southwest where extremely dangerous inmates are housed.

He previously held a senior security role at The Park and also worked as a security guard at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

West Moreton Health declined to comment.

When police searched Hickman’s property they also found 164 illegally-obtained valium tablets and about 250 tablets of anabolic steroids and also liquid steroids, Richlands Magistrates Court was told.

“This was precipitated by mere name calling when this man (the neighbour) called you a junkie,’’ Magistrate Stuart Shearer told Hickman.

“Does that seem to be such an inaccurate description? Why that would precipitate your conduct is a mystery.

“Most of those of my generation were taught sticks and stones may break our bones, but names can never hurt us.

“But we have a generation of fragile princesses who can’t tolerate even the mildest name calling without descending into (illegal retribution).

“The normal mature adult, when called a junkie, would simply ignore it.’’

Mr Shearer said that Hickman instead chose to break into the property on February 14, steal items from the two occupants and confront his neighbour in his bedroom.

Hickman’s solicitor said his client had co-operated with police, expressed remorse and entered early guilty pleas to all four charges he faced including entering a dwelling with intent, drug possession and unlawfully possessing a restricted drug.

He had a solid work history and was happy to perform a long community service order, but a conviction would mean he would lose his job.

However Mr Shearer said this was exactly the sort of offence Hickmann’s employer ought to know about.

He pointed out that Hickman had previously appeared before the courts three times but had been given the benefit of not having convictions recorded for any of those matters.

“I don’t think community service is an appropriate response,’’ Mr Shearer said.

“Burgling anyone’s house is a very serious offence and requires a suspended sentence.

“I don’t think there would be any members of the community who would disagree with that.’’

He sentenced Hickman to nine months’ jail, wholly suspended for two years, on the burglary charge and convicted him with no further punishment on the drugs charges.

He also ordered Hickman to pay $5700 compensation to his neighbour and $3200 compensation to the neighbour’s housemate, who also had goods stolen.

The court heard Hickman had already paid compensation for the damaged roller door.