Luke Darby Cranston’s surprise bail release after sentence delay

A young Queensland man was expecting to be sentenced this week for allegedly robbing rural fire stations of a truck and lifesaving equipment, but things took an unexpected turn, a court heard.

Queensland Rural Fire Brigade heading to a sugar-cane field fire at Toobanna south of Ingham, Hinchinbrook Shire. Please attribute. Picture: Cameron Bates

A young man faced court expecting to be sentenced for allegedly robbing rural fire stations of lifesaving equipment and a fire truck but things soon took an unexpected turn.

Several family members watched on as Luke Darby Cranston appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court via video link from Capricornia Correctional Centre this week.

The court heard Ilbilbie man was expecting to be sentenced, but audible gasps could be heard as Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan instead said Mr Cranston would be given immediate bail after the sentence was delayed.

¨I was informed that a psychologist report is going to be obtained for you which takes a considerable period of time,¨ Ms Hartigan explained.

¨You’re only young and you don’t have any criminal history, so I’m concerned about you spending too much time in custody waiting for that because it’ll be about eight weeks away at least.

¨And it has been decided that you will be released on bail today.¨

Mr Cranston previously had three bail applications rejected in late 2023 and spent Christmas in jail on remand.

He faces 17 charges, including breach of bail, stealing, wilful damage, authority required to possess explosives, unlawful possession of a motor vehicle and possessing dangerous drugs.

He has not entered pleas to the charges.

The 22-year-old is accused of stealing a Nissan Patrol rural fire vehicle – an Isuzu NPS 3007 fire truck – which was found later on an unoccupied property painted white and with extensive damage, totalling $350,000.

Emergency lights allegedly taken from the fire truck were found at a Sarina home.

Police allege Mr Cranston broke into the Sarina Marlborough Rural Fire Brigade on October 31 and the Victoria Plains Rural Fire Brigade on November 4 of last year.

Defence lawyer Aaron Sellentin of Barron and Allen Lawyers said he would facilitate Mr Cranston’s appointment with a psychologist.

Ms Hartigan said psychology reports were ¨very, very expensive¨ and it was ¨very unusual¨ for a Legal Aid grant to cover such a cost.

Yet Mr Cranston was also warned of the consequences should he breach his bail.

¨Whatever you’re told to do by Mr Sellentin, you do it,” Ms Hartigan said.

¨You’re very, very lucky that you're getting (a psychology report) through Legal Aid.

¨Because you're going to be out in the community (and) it's on you once you're out to make sure you co-operate.

¨Otherwise, to be honest, your Legal Aid will be cut off and you don’t want to do this by yourself.”

Mr Cranston’s mother told him she was looking forward to him coming home and remarked “all those prayers that I said last night came true¨.

The case was adjourned to May 2 to allow time for the psychology report to be tendered.