Stuntman Robin Bolger found guilty of reselling V8 engines and gearboxes stolen from Holden’s now-defunct SA factory

A PROFESSIONAL stuntman who believed it was “impossible” to steal from Holden’s factory has been found guilty of reselling $700,000 worth of black-market equipment.

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A PROFESSIONAL stuntman who believed it was “impossible” to steal from Holden’s factory has been found guilty of reselling $700,000 worth of black-market equipment.

On Thursday, the District Court urged motorcycle rider and “drift” driver Robin Bolger to assist authorities still working to solve the infamous 2009 Holden engine thefts.

Judge Steven Millsteed permitted Bolger to remain on bail, and return to his family in Queensland for Christmas, while he considers his position.

His Honour’s recommendation came after a jury of seven women and four men convicted Bolger, 46, of 11 counts of property laundering and 54 counts of money laundering.

It was the third time the Irish-born racing identity has stood trial over the allegations, which date back to 2010.

Professional stunt man Robin Bolger outside the District court.

His first trial, in 2015, ended in a mistrial due to a complication with prosecution evidence while his second, earlier this year, was also aborted.

Each time, prosecutors alleged that, between 2010 and 2011, Bolger bought and then on-sold $700,000 worth of V8 engines and gearboxes to businesses in Berri and Victoria.

That equipment, they alleged, had been produced by GM Holden at its now-defunct Elizabeth plant in 2009 for an international export program that was subsequently cancelled.

They alleged a group of people conspired to steal the “obsolete” technology, and that Bolger on-sold 107 engines and 142 gearboxes through his business, Stuntrider Pty Ltd.

Bolger was never accused of having participated in the theft.

He gave evidence over 14 days, repeatedly insisting he had no idea the engines and gearboxes were stolen property.

“I’d been to Holden, I couldn’t see how they could come out of Holden the way (prosecutors) said they came out,” he said.

“In my eyes and everybody else’s eyes it’s impossible to come out the front gates of Holden ... everybody I spoke to said it was impossible to get them out of Holden.”

Bolger became emotional during cross-examination — in her closing address, lawyer Elizabeth Mansfield called it “the demeanour of a man trying to tell the truth”.

“He’s a stunt driver, he’s used to pressure,” she said.

“His tears were a symptom of his frustration, his powerlessness and the sense of desperation that arises from his knowledge that he is an innocent man.”

She urged jurors to acquit Bolger, saying they could not be satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, he knew the engines and gearboxes were stolen when he sold them.

By its verdicts — delivered after five hours’ deliberation — the jury rejected that argument.

Judge Milsteed noted three other people had been convicted “of serious offences” arising from the 2009 thefts.

“There are still many people outstanding,” he told Ms Mansfield.

“You might want to get instructions from your client as to whether he is prepared to assist the authorities with respect to those people.”

He ordered Bolger face sentencing submissions in February.

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