Malcolm Wallace: Ipswich man sells friend’s guitars to ‘appease’ partner

An Ipswich musician who traded his friend’s guitars for cash in an effort to “appease” his partner has been sentenced.

An Ipswich musician and dad-of-two has told a court what led to him stealing his friend’s beloved guitars and trading them for cash.

Malcolm Charles Wallace, 56, of Goodna appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 23) on two charges of fraud and two of stealing. He pleaded guilty to all offences.

The court heard the offending took place last year, after Mr Wallace and a friend took part in an at-home guitar jam session.

Defence lawyer Shannon Chen said her client was in toxic relationship with someone at the time who was “constantly short of cash”.

In an effort to “appease” his partner, she said Mr Wallace sold his own instruments as well as two guitars his friend had left in his care.

The court heard he took his friend’s guitars to Goodna pawnbroker Pennywise, handing them over for a total of $170.

The cheaper Les Paul copy electric guitar was later recovered and returned to its rightful owner, but a more expensive semi-acoustic guitar had already been traded.

Ms Chen said Mr Wallace was “very remorseful” and asked Magistrate Robert Walker to consider he had indicated early pleas of guilty.

The court heard Mr Wallace had a criminal history that was largely dated, though he had been fined in relation to drug-type offending in March this year.

Taking into account Mr Wallace’s age, personal circumstances, his history, and his pleas of guilty, Mr Walker fined him $750 and ordered he pay a total of $520 compensation to his victim and Pennywise.

Convictions were not recorded.