Antonio Doctor Houston pleads guilty to fraud, attempted fraud

A Queensland hospital worker claims a “misunderstanding” is to blame for spending big on a hobby with money he borrowed for a car.

Antonio Doctor Houston appeared in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

A “breach of trust” landed a 33-year-old hospital worker in court after he defrauded a family friend out of more than $9000 to buy Pokemon cards,” Bundaberg Magistrates Court has heard.

Antonio Doctor Houston pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of fraud and one of attempted fraud.

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The court heard Houston had arranged to receive some funds as a gift from his aunt’s partner to buy a car in late 2022.

Instead, using access Houston had gained to the man’s bank accounts, he made several purchases for Pokemon cards, among other things, amounting to $9,675.40.

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Police Prosecutor Sergeant Tina Bland told the court Houston's victim was “vulnerable” due to a disability, and Houston had betrayed the trust the man had placed in his would-be nephew.

Antonio Doctor Houston appeared in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

Defence lawyer Zoe Turner said her client and his victim had come to an agreement about repaying the funds “loaned … to purchase a car, and there was some discussion about purchasing the cards instead of the car.”

She told the court Houston was not working at the time of the “loan” and had since gained employment as a hospitality worker at the Friendlies Society Private Hospital and saved $1000 towards anticipated restitution.

“He is not the most sophisticated man and there was some misunderstanding between the two parties,” Mrs Turner told the court.

Magistrate John McInnes opposed the idea of a “misunderstanding” and said “he’s pleaded guilty on the basis that he acted dishonestly.”

“You can’t commit fraud from a misunderstanding.”

“It’s a breach of trust.”

In his sentencing statements Mr McInnes told Houston while he came before the court with no criminal history, “there hasn’t been any additional evidence of good behaviour placed before me.”

He said when Houston was first confronted by police he told a number of lies in relation to his personal email accounts and how he accessed the money.

“There’s a distinct inconsistency in what you told police, and I don’t think any of it is reliable.”

Houston was sentenced to two years in jail, wholly suspended for the fraud charge and a conviction was recorded.

He was further convicted but not further punished for attempted fraud.

Restitution was sought for $9,675.40, with a seven-day request for $1000 and the remaining amount sent to SPER.