‘Love of alcohol’ brings on crime rampage
A GEELONG dad has copped a lashing from a magistrate for failing to get off the grog, with his alcoholism leading to another stint behind bars.
Michael Mouat, 36, appeared at Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday, via video link from prison.
The father of two pleaded guilty to assault and a series of shop thefts, with the court told many of the incidents took place while Mouat was drunk.
Magistrate Jelena Popovic slammed the former construction worker for continuing to drink alcohol despite having two young children.
“Alcohol for you is a poison,” she said.
“There’s no way on God’s earth you will give up alcohol. You love it too much.
“You love it more than you love your partner, more than you love your children. If you didn’t love it more (than you love them) … then you wouldn’t be where you are today.”
Prosecutor Jacki Davis said Mouat’s crime spree involved nine separate thefts that took place between June 2020 and January this year.
He repeatedly stole alcohol from stores in Leopold and Newcomb, later telling police he could not recall some of the incidents due to his drunken state.
On Australia Day, Mouat was caught after swiping three
boxes of headphones from JB Hi-Fi in Market Square Shopping Centre.
The court heard security guards apprehended Mouat, who became aggressive and repeatedly shoved one of the men in the chest after the thief was asked to reveal his name.
Mouat has been in custody since he was arrested last week.
Defence lawyer Andrew Mitra said his client had been an alcoholic since the age of 15.
Mr Mitra urged the court to consider sentencing Mouat to a community correction order in a bid to help him “break the cycle” of offending linked to his alcohol use.
“He drinks, he gets drunk and he offends with no thought for the consequences,” Mr Mitra said.
The court heard Mouat had a criminal record littered with thefts and that he had been given numerous chances to rehabilitate in the community.
Ms Popovic said Mouat needed to stop drinking, with her stern words to the father designed to “shake some sense” into him.
“I don’t know how else it can be done,” the magistrate said.
Mouat will be sentenced on March 10.