A fuel thief has been fined $600 after he was caught with three grams of magic mushrooms during a police roadside stop.
Matthew Steven Graeme McIntosh pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited drug, possessing drug paraphernalia and stealing in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police prosecutor Sean Discomb told the court McIntosh stole $51 worth of diesel from Coles Express in Bunbury at 11.25am on December 4, 2018.
He was stopped by police while driving on the South Western Highway later that day, about 11.30pm.
Police searched the vehicle, locating three grams of the hallucinogenic drug and an improvised smoking implement in the cup holder of the car.
McIntosh, who represented himself in court, said he had forgotten his wallet when he went to pay for the fuel and “didn’t know what to do”.
He later returned to the fuel station to pay for the fuel.
He also told the court he used magic mushrooms in an attempt to self-medicate for his depression.
“I wasn’t in a good head space,” he said. “I’m really sorry.”
Magistrate Anne Longden took into account his early plea of guilty and found a financial penalty to be an appropriate punishment.
He was fined $600 and ordered to pay $205.30 in court costs.
