Shoplifter, 22, uses crafty trick to steal computers, furniture and even a solar panel from stores including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Big W
- Trent Leslie Mason would steal items by swapping price tags of high cost goods
- The father-of-two told a court he was struggling financially and sold items
- Magistrate rejected claims stating how he committed crimes was premeditated
- He pleaded guilty to seven charges of theft and received multiple jail sentences
A shoplifter has fleeced big brands out of thousands of dollars by swapping cheaper price tags onto high-end goods and walking out of stores.
Trent Leslie Mason, a 22-year-old father-of-two who lives between Ipswich in Queensland and Penrith in western Sydney, stole computers, furniture, security systems, and a solar panel across a five month period in 2018.
The court heard Mason was struggling financially and would sell the stolen goods to support his children, according to the Queensland Times.
Trent Leslie Mason, a 22-year-old father-of-two, who lives between Ipswich and Penrith in NSW, stole computers, furniture, security systems, and a solar panel across a five month period in 2018 (stock image)
Mason turned himself into police after returning to Queensland from NSW.
He pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court to seven charges of stealing; contravening a police direction to give identification details; and failing to appear at court.
He received multiple jail terms including periods of six months and two months.
Defence lawyer Bill Weather said Mason’s crimes were unsophisticated ,but Magistrate Virginia Sturgess disagreed and said the thief planned his crimes.
Ms Sturgess said Mason, who took bar code stickers from sales items at Big W to transfer onto high-value items in other stores, had shown premeditation.
In one incident, he used a pram to wheel away a $510 solar panel and in another took a children’s chair from an in-store display.
On November 3, Mason faced court for stealing a $1099 fridge from Anaconda on September 29 and a $700 television from another shop later that day
On November 3, Mason faced court for stealing a $1099 fridge from Anaconda on September 29 and a $700 television from another shop later that day.
Two days later on November 5, after being placed on parole he re-offended by stealing a $510 solar panel after putting a Big W price sticker on the box.
Other stolen goods dating back to February included a $399 Harvey Norman home security system and $3300 computer, a security camera from JB Hi-Fi, a $109 child’s chair and $50.04 worth of fuel.
Ms Sturgess said Mason’s NSW criminal history included 29 convictions for dishonesty between 2011 and 2016, including break and enter.
Other stolen goods dating back to February included a $399 Harvey Norman home security system and $3300 computer, a security camera from JB Hi-Fi, a $109 child’s chair and $50.04 worth of fuel
‘You are a persistent offender Mr Mason,’ she said.
‘There is no excuse to go out and commit repeated acts of theft. It is not a case of stealing food to feed your children.’
He will be released on parole on December 3 but will have a six-month suspended sentence after that date.
Mason was ordered to pay thousands of dollars in compensation to the victims.