Joshua David Booth sentenced at Gladstone for fraud offences

A former landscaper has been sentenced for his eight-month crime spree in Central Queensland which included fraud offences.

Joshua David Booth, 39, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to 29 charges including multiple counts of fraud. Generic image.

A former landscaper and musterer has been sentenced for his eight-month crime spree in Central Queensland.

Joshua David Booth, 39, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to 29 charges including multiple counts of fraud, stealing, receiving tainted property and breaching bail, as well as a single count of possessing dangerous drugs.

The court heard that Booth’s offending was “protracted and consistent”.

It was told he committed offences in May, July, August, September, October, November and December of 2024 - and then he kept offending in January this year.

A 21-page agreed sentencing schedule was tendered to the court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said the three fraud crimes were part of Booth’s most serious offending.

Gladstone Courthouse.

The court heard they happened in August and included Booth using another man’s card to make $240 worth of purchases.

Sgt Hoskins said the victim had contacted his bank and it had re-credited him with the money.

The next month, police caught Booth with drugs, the court heard.

Booth had a five-page criminal history which included previous dishonesty offending.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Booth, currently unemployed, was a father of four who had previously worked as a landscaper and a musterer.

She said he had no issues with drugs or alcohol.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Booth to nine months’ jail with immediate parole, and fined him $1700.

Convictions were recorded.