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“Complete nuisance” Mandurah meth addict used PayPass fraud to buy Lotto tickets

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

IN three months, a Mandurah man made $6300 worth of PayPass transactions under $100, using stolen credit and debit cards.

Robert Kevin McCullough appeared in custody today in relation to 76 offences including 46 counts of gains benefit by fraud.

McCullough represented himself and admitted he was in the grip of a methamphetamine addiction when his offending began in September, 2016 and ended in November, 2016.

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He hit Anstruther Physio, the Mandurah Rivers store, Modern Medical, DB Dental and Apollo Health Club, stealing employees bags and wallets.

McCullough had a particular weakness for Lotto and scratch tickets using the cards to buy more than $1720 worth.

His offending behaviour extended to the theft of multiple cars, driving under the influence of methamphetamine and burglary.

McCullough was previously sentenced to a stint in residential rehabilitation to fight his drug problem.

“Someone said something to me and I packed my stuff,” he said.

Magistrate Anne Longden called McCullough a “complete nuisance” during his relapses and described his offending as a period of complete lawlessness.

“You really needed residential rehabilitation, it is a shame you didn’t take the opportunity,” she said.

“You have a long criminal history so it can’t be said these offences are out of character.”

She sentenced McCullough to 18 months in prison backdated to November 24. He is eligible for parole.

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