Cairns man Daniel John Lock’s poorly thought-out police prank costs him council job

The drunk early-evening phone call proved to be a poorly thought-out prank that cost the Cairns man dearly.

A CAIRNS Regional Council employee who lost his job when it emerged he had been charged for impersonating a member of the local constabulary has faced court.

Daniel John Lock, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of assuming the name of a police officer with intent to mislead and one count of fraud in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable John Hanley told the court how after a couple of bottles of wine on Saturday, June 12, 2021, Lock rang a former housemate who was now living in Newcastle, pretending to be a police officer from Smithfield Police Station.

It was to prove to be a poorly thought-out prank that cost Lock dearly.

The court heard how Lock identified himself by the name and registration number of a detective who had earlier in the year charged him with fraud and told the victim he had a few days to present himself to the station about a police matter that had to be discussed in person.

Snr Const Hanley said Lock’s former housemate made inquiries with Queensland Police who confirmed the officer did exist – prompting the victim to immediately leave Sydney, drive to Newcastle, and then fly up to Cairns with his concerned parents in tow on the following day.

“Upon presenting to Smithfield police station as directed by that male, he’s learned there were no investigations outstanding involving himself,” Snr Const Hanley said.

Police checks revealed Lock was the owner of the mobile phone number which had called the victim on June 12.

Lock told police he had an alcohol problem, and that he made the phone call.

He gave the name and number of the police officer who had earlier arrested him for fraud charges, for which he was convicted in May this year, the court heard.

Lock’s lawyer Peter Haarsma said it appeared this was a “drunken lark that certainly went too far”.

“He didn’t think these things through and didn’t think that ultimately the gentleman would come back.

“He’s remorseful for that.”

Mr Haarsma said the investigating officer attended Lock’s office in the infrastructure and planning department at Cairns Regional Council and spoke with his then-manager, advising him that Mr Lock was going to be charged.

“And fairly shortly after that, Mr Lock was terminated,” Mr Haarsma said.

Mr Haarsma also detailed to the court how Lock was actively involved in various acts of community service around Cairns and that he was suffering from depression.

Magistrate Kevin Priestly said at no point had Lock tried to tell the victim the phone call was a prank.

“It’s not like you woke up the next day and went holy shit what have I done, I better give him a call,” Mr Priestly said.

“That suggests to me either allowing things to unfold naturally or you didn’t have the courage to take responsibility for your actions the earlier night and seek to intervene in the events that might flow.”

Lock was fined $500 and given three years probation and ordered to pay $3097.95 restitution.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Cairns man Daniel John Lock’s poorly thought-out police prank costs him council job