Paul Anthony Richard Owens faces court for stealing bank card

The 37-year-old Tara man was caught on CCTV footage stealing a wallet with a bank card he then used to buy food at a supermarket, a Gympie court has been told.

Paul Anthony Richard Owens, 37, was convicted in Gympie Magistrates Court of three offences and given a suspended jail sentence. Photo: Facebook.

A 37-year old Tara man was given a suspended jail sentence in the Gympie court on Monday for using a stolen bank card to buy groceries for his family.

Paul Anthony Richard Owens was unrepresented in Gympie Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to three offences: two charges of dishonest use of a bank card and unlawful use of a bank card.

Police prosecutor Michael Phillips told the court Owens used the stolen bank card to make two transactions at Foodworks at Tara in March, spending a total of $84.88.

Sgt Phillips said Owens was caught on CCTV making the transactions, and when police questioned him he said he used money from his own account.

“He said he had no idea how the money came out from the victim’s bank account,” he said.

He said Owen’s could not explain how he obtained the stolen card, but said he was willing to pay all the money back.

Sgt Phillips also said Owen’s was caught on CCTV in a separate building in Tara, where he was seen stealing a wallet from the victims bag.

Owen’s admitted to his actions in the court, and said he was looking after his partner’s sick father at the time.

“I needed to feed my family,” he said.

“I‘ve come this way so I’ll stay the hell out of trouble.”

He was sentenced to one month behind bars, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay back the money he spent as compensation.