Andrew Nicholls fronts court after allegedly looting flood-affected homes

An 18-year-old Ipswich man has appeared in court after allegedly stealing from flood-affected homes, claiming he is trying to ‘change his ways’.

An Ipswich teenager who allegedly stole from flood-affected houses has told a court he has a significant issue with drugs but is trying to ‘change his ways’.

Gailes man Andrew Nicholls, 18, appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday March 7 from custody via video link to apply for bail after being arrested at the weekend and charged with entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, receiving tainted property, unlawfully using a vehicle, and driving without a licence.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between Tuesday March 1 and Friday March 4.

The young man was charged on Saturday March 5, shortly after police launched a preventive operation to combat property crime in flood-impacted areas.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Nanette Green told the court the “looting-type” offences related to him allegedly stealing from flood-affected houses.

She argued that if he were to be released on bail he would likely reoffend, particularly given the fact he was already on bail for like charges.

A 22-year-old Goodna man was recently charged with entering a premises and committing an indictable offence after allegedly breaking into the freezer of a Brisbane Road convenience store and stealing several items. Picture: Queensland Police Service

The young man asked Magistrate Kathleen Payne to connect him with drug help and counselling services so that he could rehabilitate himself.

“I’m really trying to change my ways,” he told Ms Payne.

“That’s why I need drug counselling.”

The court heard Nicholls has a daughter and a job at a barber shop he is expected to commence in the coming days – two factors he said motivated him to want to stop using drugs.

Defence lawyer Christy Louden said her client will likely be pleading guilty to the offences before the court.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne said she had taken into consideration the fact Nicholls was on bail at the time of the alleged offending as well as the strength of the evidence, which included Polair surveillance tracking him.

She said the offences were serious, but Nicholls was “very young” and had no previous history.

The young father was granted bail on strict conditions that he live with his mother at Gailes, not leave the house between 9pm and 5am, and be drug tested randomly.

The matter will return to Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday April 7.