Jason Larner sentenced for Gladstone Golf Club break-in

When a Central Queensland man with a 17-page criminal record faced court for his latest offences including a golf club break-in, an acting magistrate bluntly told him: “You are not very good, give it up.”

Recidivist property offender Jason Jay Larner, 46, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court for more offences. Generic image.

An acting magistrate has told a recidivist Central Queensland property offender: “You are not very good, give it up.”

Jason Jay Larner, 46, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle, entering premises with intent, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The court heard Larner, who had spent 87 days in pre-sentence custody, had a 17-page criminal record that was “littered with” property offending including break-and enter and unlawful use of motor vehicle offences.

It was told his latest offending, committed while on parole, started on November 29 last year when he and a co-offender stole a car from Gladstone business Butler Partners.

The duo then drove the stolen vehicle to Gladstone Golf Club where they smashed a rear door to gain entry to the premises.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said the pair then tried to get into a locked manager’s office but they were unsuccessful and an alarm sounded.

They fled on foot.

Police caught up with Larner on January 27 this year and he was arrested.

During a body search, police found him in possession of a flick knife.

The court heard Larner’s co-offender, with a seven-page criminal history, had been given an eight-month prison sentence.

It was told Larner had struggled with a heroin addiction.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield tendered documents which showed Larner had completed programs, including relapse prevention, while in custody.

Ms Ditchfield said Larner had used heroin since he was 11 - his mother was a heroin addict and his father was also a drug addict.

The solicitor said Larner’s dad had “recruited him” into criminal activity.

Ms Ditchfield said the day prior to this offending in November, Larner, a father of two, had become homeless after “finding out that his previous partner of 18 months had been essentially cheating on him”.

She said Larner committed the golf club break-in because he was trying to find a way to get accommodation for himself, and it was a “crime of need rather than greed”.

The court heard Larner’s partner was present to support him and upon his release from custody, he had full-time work lined up as a tree lopper.

Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees referred to Larner’s criminal history and said: “You are not very good, give it up.

“Put your energy into a lawful purpose.

“You clearly are persistent so just channel your energies into something that’s going to keep you out of prison, because as it was submitted on your behalf, if you carry on this way you are going to spend the rest of your days in prison - that’s the reality.”

Mr Rees sentenced Larner to 12 months’ jail, declared 87 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed immediate parole.

Convictions were recorded.