George Joseph Swadling jailed for Rockhampton Ergon copper theft

A man who whinged watch-house staff ate his breakfast as he represented himself in court also had some strange complaints about police.

George Joseph Swadling,42, broke into the Ergon compound on Glenmore Road, Park Avenue, in the early hours of June 5, 2025, and was busted possessing a knife. He had taken copper wire and clamps from the inside he premises and thrown the items over the 6 foot fence.

A man whinged watch-house staff ‘ate his breakfast’ as he represented himself for breaking into an Ergon Energy facility to steal copper wiring.

George Joseph Swadling, 42, went on to ask Acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne to watch video footage, saying they searched him three times and the police officers in the dock, who he was requesting leave the dock, made him feel uncomfortable and ate his breakfast.

Mr Byrne denied his request as Swadling continued to talk over him, making complaints about his treatment.

“The way you’re going, you’ll be held over until tomorrow,” Mr Byrne warned Swadling.

Swadling calmed down and entered guilty pleas to six charges – two breaches of bail, along with one count each of stealing, entering premises and commit an indictable offence, and possessing a knife in a public place.

He pleaded not guilty to possessing a thing intended to be used in a crime (bolt cutters).

The court heard Swadling had been convicted of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle on April 17, 2025.

Swadling broke into the Ergon compound on Glenmore Road, Park Avenue, in the early hours of June 5 and was busted in possession of a knife.

He also stole a bank card from someone that day.

Police prosecutor Brandon Selic said Swadling walked the perimeter of the compound which was enclosed by 6ft fence (1.83m) about 1.50am on June 5 before cutting a chain on a secured gate to gain access.

He said Swadling then entered the grounds and searched the area, entering a nearby building and taking about 120m copper spool and 100 copper PG clamps worth about $1500.

Mr Selic said Swadling took these items back to his entry point “where he threw them over the fence and continued to search within the premises”.

He said security spotted him on CCTV and called police who arrived soon after, called Swadling over by his name.

Swadling had a knife in his backpack at the time of his arrest.

He had also failed to report twice as part of bail conditions for other alleged offences.

Swadling was on parole at the time of the Ergon break and enter.

He told Mr Byrne: “That chain wasn’t cut on that fence. I climbed over that fence.”

“I went there to get some copper wire,” Swadling said.

“Get some money.”

He claimed he did not have bolt cutters and if he did have them, he would have used them.

Swadling said he used the knife when undertaking scrap metal work employment.

He explained the failures to report were because he was working two jobs and one of those was not set hours, with the work occurring when his boss is ready to do a renovation job.

Mr Byrne sentenced Swadling to 10 months prison with immediate parole eligibility and he was remanded in custody for two remaining charges of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed/in company and serious assault of a person over 60.

A brief of evidence was ordered for the outstanding charges which will next be mentioned on June 26.