Gilbert Banzuela sentenced for stealing money from elderly widow

When the family of an elderly Central Queensland woman noticed money disappearing from her home, they set up a CCTV camera which solved the mystery.

Gilbert Balunso Banzuela.

A mower man who gained the trust of an elderly widow before brazenly stealing money from her, has been sentenced for his “low” crime.

Gilbert Balunso Banzuela, 48, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on Thursday to stealing.

The court heard the victim, an 88-year-old woman, met Banzuela who was employed by her family to assist with property maintenance and lawn mowing.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said the elderly woman had trusted Banzuela who would also have cups of tea and chats with her.

Mr O’Connor said after the woman’s husband passed away, money inside the house started to disappear.

“As a result, the (woman’s) family installed a CCTV camera,” Mr O’Connor said.

The court heard that on January 8, after Banzuela had completed jobs at the woman’s residence, he went into the dining area and had a cup of tea with her.

But when the woman got up and left the room to attend to something, Banzuela went to where her wallet was, opened it and removed $200 cash.

“(Banzuela) then placed the money in his pocket and returned to where he was seated to wait for the (woman) to return,” Mr O’Connor said.

“This was captured on CCTV.”

Gilbert Balunso Banzuela.

Mr O’Connor said when Banzuela was questioned by police, he admitted to stealing from the woman because he was “short of money.”

“He said that he recalled stealing from the (woman’s) wallet on two occasions.”

Mr O’Connor said stealing from an 88-year-old woman was “a low act.”

“$200 would have been a significant amount of money for her.”

The prosecution sought restitution.

Banzuela had no criminal history.

Solicitor Oscar Millroy said Banzuela was born in the Philippines and came to Australia in 2012.

“And (he) has worked as a mechanic since then,” Mr Millroy said.

Mr Millroy said leading up to this offending, Banzuela had separated from his wife in December, 2023.

“He recently sent money to his sister for kidney dialysis and things were tough for him, although he’s conveyed great distress inside for breaking the trust of what was then a friend who he enjoyed having cups of tea with and assisting.

“The (police) facts are accepted and I only wish to highlight that there are two occasions (of stealing by Banzuela) that were eventually owned up to, although police were investigating a single occasion where the money could be verified.

“He has no criminal history - it would seem that he is generally of good upstanding in the community.

“I understand this (victim) is a vulnerable member of society... he’s more than willing to pay $500 (compensation to the victim).

“And he said he very much wants to pay that amount to her - he instructs that on the other occasion (he stole) he had taken $15 from (the woman).”

Prior to imposing the penalty, Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said she accepted this offending was out of character for Banzuela.

She fined him $200, and ordered him to pay $200 restitution and $500 compensation - both of the latter to go to the victim.

No conviction was recorded.