Arthur James Murdock sentenced in Bowen Court

A dad to eight and grandfather of 24 has been told he has a “big job” providing his children with someone to look up to after he was caught stealing and not showing up to court.

Arthur James Murdock was sentenced in Bowen Magistrates Court on 17 July.

A dad of eight with a lengthy criminal history has been warned he needs to be a better role model after he was caught stealing and skipping court.

Arthur James Murdock appeared in Bowen Magistrates Court pleading guilty to multiple counts of stealing, and failing to appear as well as trespassing and possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard the 10 charges occurred between January 2024 and March of this year with police prosecutor Lynda Hughes saying the offences were low range but that Mr Murdock had a serious history.

She said the 55-year-old from Bowen was banned from the Home Hill IGA when he trespassed and stole a number of food items, putting energy drinks down his pants before walking out without paying.

He also stole a beach blanket from a newsagent worth more than $170 the court heard.

Lawyer Daniel Rigden from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service appeared on behalf of Mr Murdock, telling the court the offending was unsophisticated and opportunistic.

Mr Murdock appeared in Bowen Magistrates Court via video link from jail.

He also noted the 124 days his client had already spent in pre-sentence custody.

“He’s paid the price,” he said regarding Mr Murdock’s failure to appear.

Mr Rigden said the former fisherman was homeless when the offences occurred and stole the food because he was hungry.

He said the father of eight and a grandfather of 24 would be able to live with his mother upon his release.

Magistrate Anna Smith said Mr Murdock had a big job providing his children and grandchildren with someone to look up to.

“You don’t want them in and out of jail,” she said.

“Particularly men and boys, they need good role models.

“Particularly if you’ve got links with your culture, you need to be getting them excited about that and not looking at you being in and out of custody.”

Noting the “long time” he had already spent in custody Mr Murdock was sentenced on three of the failure to appear charges to 14 days in prison for each with an immediate parole release date.

He was convicted and not further punished on all other charges

Ms Smith wished him luck and offered him some advice for the future.

“Just remember, when in doubt think about being a role model to all of your kids and grandkids, that’s a lot of grandkids and you’ve hopefully got a lot of time left in which you can influence them,” she said.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Arthur James Murdock sentenced in Bowen Court