Surf store thief pleads guilty

A brazen surf shop thief claiming to be a professional surfer has pleaded guilty to six charges and will face sentencing in April.

Busselton man Christopher Ross Mead fronted Busselton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property, two counts of receiving stolen goods and one count of stealing.

He faces a further 18 charges, including burglary, fraud and stealing.

The 25-year-old’s lawyer, Fiona Walsh, said in court that he would plead guiltyto most of the charges.

The stolen goods were taken from a series of retail businesses including Quicksilver Dunsborough, Hilzeez Down South, Yahoo Surfboards, Yallingup General Store, and Margaret River Home Timber and Hardware.

Appearing via video link from Bunbury Regional Prison, Mead wanted to argue about the value of the stolen goods.

The matter was adjourned to April 2 in Busselton Magistrate’s Court.