A Northam man has been sentenced to 60 hours community work for assaulting a Big W staff member when confronted about stealing a vacuum cleaner.
Philip Anthony Wayne Pedro, who has recently moved to Northam, pleaded guilty to stealing, common assault and breach of bail undertaking when he appeared in Northam Magistrates Court on Monday 11 June.
Pedro stole a Dyson vacuum cleaner valued at $499 from a Big W store in Kwinana on 26 March, 2018.
He was caught on CCTV pushing a trolley through the self service checkouts making no attempt to pay for the item.
When Pedro was asked to leave the store he turned around and connected his head to a female staff member’s forehead causing her immediate pain.
The property was recovered, and when located by police Pedro said he had been drinking alcohol and didn’t remember much of the incident.
Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins said Pedro had a history of serious assault charges.
“You’ve got to take this seriously Mr Pedro,” she said.
“This was a deliberate act.
“You need to get help with your drinking. It sounds like something you need to deal with.”
Pedro was placed on two community based orders in March 2018 for previous offending but is yet to complete any of the 80 hours.
Pedro was sentenced to an additional 60 hours community service, taking the total up to 140 hours.
