Last chance as repeat thief avoids jailing

A SERIAL thief has narrowly avoided actual time behind bars after stealing from Woolworths and Bunnings.

Brodie Kane Dahler pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing and one count of possessing dangerous drugs when he faced Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday.

Dahler stole groceries from separate Townsville Woolworths stores, in August and December, and also stole a multipurpose cabinet from Bunnings at Burdell.

The court heard Dahler had a lengthy history of stealing offences and had been sentenced to community service, probation and suspended prison terms before.

The prosecution was seeking he spend actual time in custody for his latest offending.

Defence lawyer Phil Rennick said his client did have a poor history for someone who was only 20 years of age but argued much of his offending was stimulated from need rather than greed.

“If he was given a suspended sentence and was able to get employment I don’t think Your Honour would see him back before the courts,” he said.

Magistrate Cathy Wadley sentenced Dahler to two months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months and warned the 20-year-old that any future offending would place him at risk of being sent to jail. Dahler was also fined $100 for drug possession.