Anthony Paul Bowie in court for Hervey Bay Neighborhood Centre break in

With a criminal history stretching back 24 years, a man who broke into a popular community organisation’s office and took items including a laptop and TV remote has fronted court again.

Paul Anthony Bowie leaves Hervey Bay Magsitrate Court on December 29, 2024.

A man with a criminal history dating back to 2000 who broke into a non-for-profit organisation’s office has been sentenced.

Paul Anthony Bowie, 46, pleaded guilty to two charges, one count of entering premises and committing an indictable offence and a breach of bail condition in the Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on Thursday.

On December 23 at 4.45pm, Bowie climbed into the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre’s office in Urangan through an unlocked window.

The HBNC is a not-for-profit organisation that offers programs and activities to support vulnerable people in the Fraser Coast region.

Police prosecutor Kim Harwood told the court Bowie was filmed on CCTV entering the property and stealing a laptop, a TV remote, glasses and stationery before leaving the property.

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Paul Anthony Bowie leaves the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

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Sergeant Harwood said on February 5, police found Bowie on The Esplanade, Scarness where he admitted to knowing about the offence when questioned.

He was arrested and taken to the Hervey Bay Police Station where he was bailed.

As a part of his bail conditions, Bowie was required to appear at the station every Monday.

The court was told that on February 19, he failed to check in, and when he eventually did attend the station on February 26, he said he was homeless and forgetful.

Duty lawyer Kade Eames said Bowie’s criminal history was evidence of his lengthy battle with substance abuse.

“He informs me he has tried numerous treatment options to overcome these addictions but still suffers from them,” he said.

Anthony Paul Bowie broke into the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre on December 23, 2024.

Mr Eames told the court his client was apologetic and knew he needed to “address” his behaviour.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie told Bowie his is early plea was the “only reason” she would “structure a sentence” that would allow him to stay in the community.

“You are a mature man who has troubled the community with your stealing and dishonesty over a long period of time,” she said.

Ms McGarvie sentenced Bowie to nine months’ imprisonment for the enter premises offence and two months' imprisonment for the breach of bail condition but paroled him immediately.

Convictions were recorded.