Surfers Paradise burglar: Michael Robert Catania sentenced to 18 months prison after fronting the Southport Magistrates Court

A BURGLAR told a stranger he was “going to f*** you up” after breaking into his Surfers Paradise home, a court has heard. But that’s not how things went.

A BURGLAR who told a householder he was “going to f*** you up” after breaking into his Surfers Paradise unit has been sent back to jail, despite having already spent 70 days in pre-sentence custody.

Michael Robert Catania fronted the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday and was sentenced to 18 months prison after pleading guilty to entering a dwelling with intent by break at night.

Police prosecutor Chris Freeman told the court Catania broke into a second-storey unit at Surfers Paradise at 2.45am on February 8 this year.

Catania entered the bedroom and shone a torch, which woke two people in bed.

Catania told them “they told me to come here” before picking up a knife, fork and gym bag and trying to leave.

But the man said: “They, that’s my stuff.’’

Catania responded “I’m going to f*** you up” and the pair got into an fight.

When police arrived, the homeowner had restrained Catania who had received facial injuries in the scuffle.

Catania was on parole for burglary when he broke into the man’s apartment.

He had to be taken to hospital where it was discovered he was affected by medication and other drugs.

Catania, who was on probation for a previous burglary at the time, spent 70 days in custody before he was released.

On October 21, Catania elbowed a man who was standing outside Waxy’s Irish Pub.

Mr Freeman said CCTV shows Catania continued walking past the man without checking if he had been seriously injured.

Catania was later arrested and charged with public nuisance and being drunk in a public place.

The man hit by the elbow could not be found to get an assault complaint.

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Mr Freeman said Catania had a 24-year history of violence and property offences.

He said Catania was belligerent, showed no remorse and had been unresponsive when sentenced in the past.

Catania, who represented himself, argued he was remorseful.

He said he had issues with medication and alcohol and had enrolled in a rehabilitation program at Palm Beach.

Catania said he helped the community by volunteering for an organisation that fed the homeless.

“I’m willing to change my life and become a new person,” Catania said.

Magistrate Mark Howden sentenced Catania to 18 months jail for the burglary charge and he was convicted and not further punished for the other two offences.

The 70 days he spent in presentence custody were counted as time already served and he was given a parole release date of March 14, 2019.