Former Park Avenue Hotel chef Justin Stephen Millan beef stealing case update
A Rockhampton chef accused of stealing more than a tonne of meat over several months is likely to be finalised in the coming weeks, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
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A Rockhampton chef who has been accused of stealing more than a tonne of meat during a six-month period is likely to be finalised in the coming weeks after the allegations in a fresh charge “made the Crown’s case stronger”, a court has heard.
Justin Stephen Millan, 37, was the head chef at the Park Avenue Hotel, on the corner of Haynes and Main Streets, when he allegedly fraudulently stole a tonne of beef.
He has been charged with one count of stealing as a servant and one count of fraud – dishonestly obtains property from another – which are both running together before the Rockhampton District Court where the initial charge had been previously listed for trial in the next month.
However, defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said the brief of evidence for the second charge changed things.
“There was additional evidence disclosed as part of the indictment that has just been presented,” he said.
“As a consequence of that additional evidence, the Crown’s case is significantly stronger.”
Mr Ahlstrand said he had a conference with Mr Millan and he has indicated he intends to plead guilty now, but those instructions needed to be finalised.
According to court documents in relation to the stealing as a servant charge, Mr Millan allegedly stole meat which was the property of the hotel between January 1, 2022 and June 14, 2022.
It is alleged he stole 1115kg of beef worth $43,891.90, ordered through the same supplier the hotel used.
According to court documents, the fraud charge allegations are that Mr Millan dishonestly obtained meat from award-winning Rockhampton butcher.
Mr Millan is accused of impersonating a manager of Park Avenue Hotel to order more than 60 kgs of beef worth about $3000 which was picked up by an associate and delivered to a Rockhampton pub.
The allegations involve the beef being sold to the pub for about half its value.
Mr Millian has been scheduled to enter his pleas to the two charges in Rockhampton District Court on October 30 and he is on bail.
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