Bizarre crime: 1500 kids poppers stolen from Biloela State School

What happened to the poppers after the theft was also a crime, adding an extra element of bizarre to the series of events that unfolded.

A bag containing recyclable material. Generic image.

Details of a bizarre multifaceted crime where 1500 juice poppers were stolen from a Central Queensland school have been revealed.

The poppers were in fact empty and just who stole them during a break-in at Biloela State School is not known.

What is now known, is what happened to the haul after it was taken.

Nathan John Smith received the empty poppers and he took them to Biloela Recycling where he cashed them in for $153.40.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty in Biloela Magistrates Court on December 8 to receiving tainted property and fraud.

A stealing charge was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence in relation to that.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen told the court that between June 10 and 11, someone entered Biloela State School and cut a padlock at the school’s recycling centre to get access to the empty juice poppers.

Sergeant Ongheen said Smith received the poppers and at 9am on June 11, he took them to the transfer station where he cashed them in.

“The defendant was not the lawful owner of the containers - he received the money dishonestly,” Sgt Ongheen said.

Restitution of $153.40 was sought.

A waste disposal recycling bin sign. Generic image.

Solicitor Pierre Lammersdorf said Smith had a Certificate III in IT and did sporadic contracting work, as well as being on a disability pension.

“He’s got limited, although highly relevant criminal history, Your Honour, including previous convictions for dishonesty offences, however there are significant gaps on his history,” Mr Lammersdorf said.

“He’s not opposed, of course, for the restitution amount.

“He does struggle financially. He has, in conference, indicated a willingness to do community service as a result of these actions here, rather than a significant fine.

“He would struggle to pay that fine, Your Honour, and he would be willing to right his wrongs by undertaking some community service.

“I think it’s a positive for my client that he is willing to give back to the community for his actions, rather than just trying to pay off a fine.”

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale acknowledged that Smith had “put his hand up” to do community service and she said for that, she would spare him a lecture.

Ms Beckinsale ordered Smith perform 40 hours of unpaid community service within six months, pay $153.40 restitution, and she recorded a conviction.