Thief who stole $59k gold gets $6k, then jailed 20 months
Phillip Brian North pleaded guilty to breaking into an Unanderra jeweller twice, stealing $59,000 worth of gold pieces.
Phillip Brian North rode his bicycle to Eclectic Designer Jewellers in Unanderra about 10pm on October 7, 2025. Phillip Brian North smashed through metal gates and the front door with a tool, then shattered the display case and stuffed $59,000 in gold jewellery into his backpack.
Police found the store damaged at 3am and notified the owner. North sold seven pieces to a Sydney store for just $6,000.
On November 22, police found him with bolt cutters, a torch, face covering and gloves in Unanderra. Some months later on January 29, he returned to the same jeweller and tried to break in again, causing $16,000 in damage to the front door.
DNA evidence and his phone confirmed his guilt. Judge Geraldine Beattie said the small business had been "preyed upon twice" and sentenced North to 20 months in jail.
- $59,000
- Gold stolen
- $6,000
- Sold for
- $16,000
- Door damage second attempt
- 20 months
- Sentence
Why it mattersA family business lost $59,000 in stock and thousands more in repairs, with no chance of getting compensation from the thief.
AustraliaReflects growing break-in crime against small retailers across NSW, where owners often absorb the full cost of theft and damage.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 49 min ago
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