Evan Pikari Manu has a $22,000 SPER debt and only worked off $800 with community service in past 20 years

Magistrate says “would be an absolute mockery of the justice system” to give this offender any more fines

A man who has racked up $22,000 in State Penalties Enforcement Registry debts has been told he won’t get fines anymore for charges where fines are an option.

Magistrate Jason Schubert said he would not give Evan Pikari Manu fines, when they are an option, anymore otherwise it “would be an absolute mockery of the justice system” as he knew Manu wouldn’t pay them.

Mr Schubert said Manu had $22,000 of fines with SPER with the first fine handed to him in 2001 and only worked off $800 since by way of community service.

“Based on his history, fines have not been a sufficient deterrent (from continual offending),” he said.

Manu, 36, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on August 4 to one count of breaching bail.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jennifer Leach said Manu was granted bail on November 25.

She said Manu failed to report on June 25 and told police at his next visit to the police station that he had forgot.

Mr Schubert said it was only the day before this offending that Manu had been dealt with by the courts for breaching bail conditions.

He said Manu had his bail varied to a time more suitable for him and he still didn’t attend.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client had been working for the past six weeks and has changed his reporting days to fit around his work schedule.

Mr Schubert sentenced Manu to a one month prison term, wholly suspended and operational for six months, after keeping Manu in the watch house for a couple of hours.