Thomas John Dunlea’s crime spree included stolen sex toys, cars and $13,000 cash

The 36-year-old’s crime spree involved stealing $900 in sex toys, two cars and when arrested he was found with $13,000 cash suspected as stolen.

Thomas John Dunlea appeared via video link from Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre to plead guilty before Toowoomba Magistrates Court to 21 offences.

A Toowoomba man’s four month crime spree saw him stealing $950 worth of sex toys to stealing cars to being found with $13,000 cash suspected stolen.

Thomas John Dunlea, 36, had spent 156 days in custody before pleading guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday to a total 21 offences.

Those included: he and a co-offender stealing $954 in sex toys from an adult store in Toowoomba on February 21;

* having an ice pipe and knife at McDonald’s when arrested for the sex toys theft on April 22;

* Evading police while driving near Bundaberg on June 14;

* stealing a car after getting bogged in another stolen vehicle near Gatton on June 16;

* committing a public nuisance outside a Highfields shopping centre on June 16;

* trespassing through seven yards when chased by police after committing the public nuisance offence in Highfields on June 16; and

* having $13,000 in suspected stolen cash when arrested at Highfields on June 16.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said $477 half restitution was sought for the stolen sex toys which had not been recovered.

Dunlea’s solicitor Jag MacDonald, of MacDonald Law, said his client had a long standing drug problem stemming from PTSD suffered after a traumatic event when he was 13 but he was now undergoing counselling.

His client had been placed in the care of his grandmother when he was nine after his father was murdered, he said.

Dunlea, who appeared via video link from Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, apologised for his offending.

“I just want to apologise to the court and to the community as a whole,” he said.

Magistrate Graham Lee sentenced Dunlea to 18 months in jail but, declaring 156 days as time served, ordered he be released immediately on parole.

Dunlea was ordered to pay $477 half compensation for the stolen sex toys which Mr Lee ordered be returned to the store if they are found.