Penrose petty criminal facing jail over theft of $4.25 packet of M&Ms

Chad Shane John Brooksby already had a suspended jail sentence hanging over his head as well as multiple good behaviour bonds to his name when a Coles Dapto staff member saw him slipping a 185g packet of M&Ms into his jacket on the evening of August 16.

A female with Brooksby was seen to take lollies, three blocks of chocolate and a bottle of Vagisil intimate wash before the pair left the store separately. Neither attempting to pay for their stash.

Brooksby was subsequently stopped by police and immediately produced the M&Ms when questioned.

He was issued with a notice to attend court for shoplifting and allowed to leave.

Brooksby pleaded guilty to the charge in Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday, triggering a breach of the suspended sentence and the bonds, meaning he will now be re-sentenced for each of the crimes associated with those convictions.

The sheer stupidity of Brooksby’s actions proved too much for Magistrate Peter Thompson, who couldn’t contain his frustration at the 20-year-old’s apparent total disregard for his own freedom.

“A packet of M&Ms – really?” he asked incredulously.

“You’re facing seven months in jail because you stole a packet of M&Ms.”

Magistrate Thompson adjourned the case for six weeks for an intensive corrections order assessment to take place, telling Brooksby to get his act together.

“You’ve got continued offending [on your record] all brought about by your drug use,” he said.

“A full-time residential rehabilitation program is you best chance to avoid going to jail.”