Lloyd Kelvin Hobday blames the cold for stealing thermal clothing

June had proved a particularly cold month for the 51-year-old who fronted the Toowoomba court on a stealing charge.

The 51-year-old man blamed Toowoomba’s cold winter for his stealing of warm clothing.

Toowoomba’s winter chill was to blame for a 51-year-old man’s shoplifting offence.

Lloyd Kelvin Hobday had walked into the Anaconda store about 3.30pm on June 7, and looked over various items of clothing.

After selecting two thermal trousers and two thermal shirts he went to walk out without paying but the tags on the clothing rang out, alerting staff, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

Challenged by staff, Hobday refused to re-enter the store and walked off without paying for the garments.

However, when police arrived at his Wilsonton home the next day the 51-year-old was wearing a pair of the thermal pants with the others on the clothes line and the shirts found in the house, police prosecutor Cameron Francis told the court.

Mr Francis said the clothing could not be returned and $439 compensation was sought.

Hobday pleaded guilty to stealing.

Duty solicitor Jag MacDonald, of MacDonald Law, told the court his client had made admissions to police and entered a plea of guilty.

“It was June and it had gotten quite cold and he didn’t have money for warm clothing,” he submitted.

His client was on medication for certain mental health issues, Mr MacDonald said.

Magistrate Graham Lee noted Hobday had a lengthy history of stealing offences including some for which he had received jail terms though released on parole.

Mr Lee noted Hobday had successfully negotiated a probation order in the past without breach.

“We’ve got to try something to stop this behaviour,” he said.

Mr Lee placed Hobday on 12 months probation and ordered he pay $439 compensation.