Nathan Ezekiela sentenced for Liquorland Gladstone thefts

A Gladstone bourbon thief who targeted the same bottle shop five times and terrorised staff there, said he could take “whatever he wants” because he “owns the world.”

Nathan Robert David Ezekiela was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court on January 31.

A bourbon thief who kept terrorising staff at a Gladstone bottle shop claimed he could take “whatever he wants” because he “owns the world.”

Nathan Robert David Ezekiela, 38, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to nine charges including five counts of stealing and public nuisance in the vicinity of a licensed premises.

The court heard that Ezekiela continuously targeted the Liquorland store at New Auckland.

On August 27, he went into the store and took four Wild Turkey bourbon cans and two other cans and left the store without paying.

Then on September 3, Ezekiela went back to the same store and stole two four-packs of Wild Turkey and other drinks.

Later that same day, Ezekiela returned to the store and stole more alcohol including a 10-pack of Wild Turkey tallies.

When he was at the Liquorland store the second time, Ezekiela appeared intoxicated and was ranting about “owning the world.”

On another occasion, Ezekiela went into the store and stole a 24-pack of Wild Turkey among other drinks.

He was confronted by staff and he became verbally aggressive, swearing at them, before leaving the store.

Nathan Robert David Ezekiela.

Police spoke to the manager who was in the store at the time, and she told them she was frightened that Ezekiela was going to hurt her because of his aggressive demeanour.

On a further occasion, Ezekiela went to the store and stole a 10-pack of Jim Beam cans.

“(This time) Ezekiela starts to rant and argue with the store manager as he’s taking whatever he wants as he owns it,” police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said.

The court heard that the store manager was so frightened of Ezekiela that she hit a duress alarm and she was about to lock herself in the bathroom when he left.

The court was told that Ezekiela committed these offences while he was on probation.

It also heard that he had a seven-page criminal history which included drug, property and public nuisance offending.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Ezekiela, who was unemployed, suffered from mental health issues and substance abuse was the main reason for his offending.

She said Ezekiela had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and at the time he was stealing, he was “hearing voices.”

Magistrate Mary Buchanan revoked Ezekiela’s probation order, fined him $300, activated a suspended sentence, and sentenced him to four months’ jail with immediate parole.

Convictions were recorded.