Andrew John Yedlinski sentenced in court for unauthorised dealing with shop goods

A 67-year-old retired painter with no criminal history has committed his first crime. Find out what the Capricorn Coast man did here.

A 67-year-old retired painter with no criminal history has committed his first crime.

The Capricorn Coast man took a box of oranges worth $22 from a roadside fruit store at Westwood.

Andrew John Yedlinski pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on November 4 to one count of unauthorised dealing with shop goods.

Police prosecutor Sarah Rowe said Yedlinski attended an unmanned roadside fruit store on the Capricorn Highway at Westwood on September 11 at 12.20pm and took a box of oranges worth $22 and put it in his car.

Ms Rowe said Yedlinski was captured on CCTV taking out two $10 notes from his pocket and going through the motions of placing the money in a box, but rather than drop the money in the box, he “discreetly” placed the money back into his pocket and drove away.

She said Yedlinski told police he took the box of oranges without paying for them and wished to pay the business for the fruit he had taken.

She said restitution was sought for $22.

Defence lawyer Krissy Cummins said Yedlinski had no criminal history and that it was a “stupid decision” he made in the spur of the moment.

“He regrets that decision,” Ms Cummins said.

Yedlinski was ordered to a six-month good behaviour bond with $250 recognisance and no criminal conviction recorded.

He was also ordered to pay $22 restitution.