Fraudster Michael Thomas Cook who targeted workers and the public

A man who told his victims he locked his keys and wallet in the car and needed money to call a locksmith before he could pay them back 15 minutes later has been sentenced.

A MAN who told his victims he locked his keys and wallet in the car and needed money to call a locksmith before he could pay them back 15 minutes later has been sentenced.

Michael Thomas Cook pleaded guilty to one count of stealing, 22 counts of fraud and five counts of attempted fraud.

The District Court heard on Monday Cook approached people or workers in public places at a number of locations around Queensland as far south as Burleigh all the way to Cairns over a nine year period from 2012 to 2021.

Crown prosecutor Jodie Crane said the smallest amount he obtained was $75 and the highest was $540 making it a total of $7295.

Cook obtained various amounts of money from people or workers in public places.

“He tricked his victims into feeling sorry for him, sufficient that they trusted, he’d be back with the money to repay them,” Ms Crane said.

“They are not insignificant amounts of money, they are amounts that are obviously significant enough to victims that they sought the police.”

While the locksmith scheme was his main successful one, Cook also sold playstations and ran off with the money when he told his victims he would obtain the device. His count of stealing occurred when he snatched a bag of money containing $520 dollars at Surfers Paradise.

Cook has a criminal history in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia.

“We’ve got a man whose been committing the same offence for 20 years now and varying terms of imprisonment with long terms to serve have not deterred him,” Ms Crane said.

Defence Barrister Rachelle Logan said he had wanted to plea guilty for his matters for a significant period of time since it was heard in Magistrates Court.

Cook has been sentenced to two years. Photo: Alison Paterson

“Mr Cook hopes to be accepted into a rehabilitation centre when on release, but he cannot compete until he is on parole,” Ms Logan said.

Judge David Kent QC said while the frauds and attempted frauds weren’t serious individually, they reflected an overall criminality collectively.

“You were interviewed by police and made admissions saying your conduct was in context of anxiety and depression, but also you were addicted to cocaine and gambling,” Judge Kent QC said.

“I very much encourage for you to take up what you indicated, hopefully with resources where you might be successfully rehabilitated from gambling and drugs.”

Cook has spent 244 days in pre-sentence custody. He was sentenced to two years in prison with a parole eligibility date of April 4.

Originally published as Fraudster Michael Thomas Cook who targeted workers and the public