‘Change of heart’ thief still fined for his crime

A would-be thief who “had a change of heart” after trying to steal a $30 set of pliers in Geraldton has copped a steep fine anyway. Geraldton Magistrate’s Court was told the 36-year-old entered Supercheap Auto about 12.30pm on December 6 and removed the Stanley FatMax 8-inch pliers from their packaging, concealing them in his pocket. He then “looked around suspiciously” before placing them back on the shelf and leaving the store, prosecuting Sen. Const Beau Jones told the court last Thursday. Rodney John Clinch pleaded guilty to stealing after police identified him on CCTV footage. “The accused told police he placed them in his pocket but had a change of heart before placing them back on the shelf,” Sen. Const. Jones said. At the time, Clinch was serving a community-based order for a criminal damage conviction. Magistrate Chris Miocevich cancelled the order and imposed a $400 fine instead. For the theft, he fined Clinch $200 and ordered him to pay costs of $225.90.