Gareth Miggins committed Townsville casino fraud day after bestiality

A former greyhound trainer and small business owner this week convicted of bestiality was back in court one day later.

Gareth John Miggins leaving the Rockhampton Courthouse.

A former greyhound trainer and small business owner this week convicted of bestiality was back in court one day later for a different crime.

After pleading guilty to bestiality in the Rockhampton District Court on August 7, Gareth John Miggins, 43, was back at Rockhampton courthouse the next day pleading guilty to a different crime – fraud.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown told Rockhampton Magistrates Court that Miggins entered casino The Ville Resort in Townsville at 10.42pm on April 27, captured on CCTV.

She said the victim left his pokie machine on ‘Save’ with his member’s debit card – a type of credit card regulars are issued instead of having to carry cash between machines – in the machine.

Ms Brown said Miggins took the casino card from the victim’s machine and was observed on CCTV placing it in other pokie machines.

Gareth and Janinne Miggins with the winner of race one at Thabeban Park Farmor Zafonic. Photo: Mike Knott / NewsMail

“(He then walked) towards the rear of the casino where casino cards can be cashed out,” she said.

Miggins was captured on CCTV withdrawing $650 from the victim’s casino card account.

“Security from the casino have been alerted to the incident by the victim,” Ms Brown said.

She said staff located Miggins and he was questioned about taking the card and cashing out.

Ms Brown said Miggins claimed he had already spent the money.

Miggins was then evicted from the venue and the victim reported the matter to police.

Gareth John Miggins leaving the Rockhampton Courthouse.

Ms Brown said Miggins made partial admissions to police saying he discovered the card had a balance of $600 after taking it and putting it in another machine.

She said $630 restitution was sought.

The court heard Miggins was currently single, diagnosed with anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder for which he is medicated and being treated by a psychiatrist every six weeks.

Magistrate Cameron Press said this appeared to be “opportunistic offending”.

He ordered Miggins to pay a $400 fine and $630 restitution.

A conviction was not recorded.