Joel Maskell sentenced in Gladstone for breaching court orders

An unemployed dad who didn’t do any of his court-imposed community service despite not having a job, has been lashed for his “woeful” attitude.

Joel Benjamin Maskell faced Gladstone Magistrates Court on January 17.

A young unemployed man who blatantly disregarded court orders and failed to do any of his required community service, has narrowly avoided jail.

Joel Benjamin Maskell, 22, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court on January 17 for contravening a community service order and also a probation order.

The court heard that in May last year, Maskell was given probation for offences including wilful damage of police property and ordered to perform 80 hours’ unpaid community service for obstructing police in public while intoxicated.

A Queensland Corrective Services representative said Maskell’s compliance with the orders had been “poor” as he had failed to report on “multiple occasions” and he also had not completed any of the community service.

The court heard Maskell was an unemployed father of one, and Magistrate Mary Buchanan asked solicitor Jun Pepito why Maskell hadn’t done anything.

Mr Pepito said “he (Maskell) needs maturity” and Ms Buchanan replied: “I can’t order that.”

Mr Pepito said Maskell had struggled since a relationship breakdown last June and he submitted either a significant fine or a suspended sentence was in range.

The court heard Maskell’s criminal history was “limited” and prior to these offences, he had never had convictions recorded.

Before sentencing, Ms Buchanan said Maskell’s engagement with corrective services had been “woeful.”

She revoked both orders and fined Maskell $2000.

Convictions were recorded.