Robert James Michael fined for stealing E-scooter from young child and using his kids to steal Dockers merch

A South West father has been fined after stealing an E-scooter from a young child he tricked and using his own kids to help steal Fremantle Dockers merchandise.

Robert James Michael, 33, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing.

On September 2, the Australind man entered Intersport Bunbury with his two children, browsing around the store before taking three Fremantle Dockers jerseys, valued at $319, off their hangers and placing them in one of the children’s backpacks and exiting the store.

The act was captured on the store’s CCTV camera.

During school pick-up on September 16, Michael was seen outside Leschenault Catholic Primary School speaking to a student requesting to try out his Nimbus E-Scooter, valued at $1300.

After taking the scooter briefly up and down the path, Michael returned it to the student but when the child turned away, he stole the electric vehicle.

The following month, on October 14, Michael was still in possession of the scooter but returned it to Australind Police Station.

The court was told Michael had recently lost his grandmother who was a mother figure to him and was at the height of an alcohol addiction when the offending occurred.

The man and his family were due to move to Perth next week to get away from Bunbury and give his family a “new start”.

Magistrate Benjamin Tyers handed down a fine of $750 for stealing the scooter, $200 for stealing the jerseys and ordered the store receive full compensation for the stolen goods.

Though Mr Tyers pointed out Michael as having a “record of dishonesty”, he commended him for his plans to move to Perth, wishing him and his family well for their new start.