Jacob Jason James Richardson, 21, robbed the Kalka Palms Hotel Motel, stole cash, alcohol and jewellery

The man robbed a Rockhampton pub, stole a car from a mining camp, and stole $10,000 cash from a 60 year old woman who had withdrawn the money to pay tradesmen. Full details here.

A young dad stole more than $12,000 cash and $3000 in alcohol during a three-week crime spree across Central Queensland, robbing a Rockhampton pub and stealing from a mining camp room.

Jacob Jason James Richardson, 21, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton District Court on June 3 to 31 charges including one count of robbery, seven of burglary and commit an indictable offence, three of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two of stealing and one of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of entering a dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence, by break and in company.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said Richardson went on a crime spree in Central Queensland between September 9 and 25 last year, stealing $10,000 cash from an Emu Park resident, $3000 worth of alcohol and $2801.90 cash from the Kalka Palms Hotel.

He also broke into a room at the Banksia Village – a workers camp for employees of Curragh Mine.

The Kalka Palms Hotel Motel on Lakes Creek Road. Photo Allan Reinikka/The Morning Bulletin.

Mr Sutton said there was a co-offender, who had yet to be dealt with by the courts, involved in the Kalka Palms Hotel Motel robbery which took place before sunrise where Richardson threatened cleaning staff that “he would kill the cleaner” if they called police, and he also threatened to stab them.

Mr Sutton said the pair left in a vehicle they had stolen earlier that evening, driving in such a manner that led to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle charge - driving through a red light at the Lakes Creek Road and Musgrave Street intersection off the Fitzroy Bridge.

He said a motorist had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Mr Sutton said prior to the robbery, Richardson had taken alcohol from a BWS store and broke into a unit.

He said after the Kalka robbery, the stolen vehicle was found abandoned near Woorabinda, along with some of the stolen alcohol.

Mr Sutton said Richardson entered a room at Banksia Village about September 21, and took keys for a car he then stole.

“The most serious of the break and enters occurred at Emu Park,” he said.

“That’s were the defendant and two co-offenders entered the house, they damaged fly screens and eventually managed to get in.

“They stole $10,000 cash, a silver Samsung tablet, two watches and a mobile phone.

“The victim who owned the cash was a 60 year old woman who had withdrawn the money to pay some tradesmen.”

Mr Sutton said after Emu Park, there were more break-ins, including on George Street, Zilzie, and more stolen vehicles.

He said Richardson used some of the cash he stole to purchase $1300 worth of clothing.

Jacob Jason James Richardson, 21.

Mr Sutton said an off-duty police officer spotted Richardson at a Rockhampton shopping centre and tried to arrest him.

Richardson initially ran away and was ultimately arrested.

Defence barrister Sheridan Shaw said her client was exposed to drugs and alcohol abuse during his childhood, and he was handed from family member to family member when his parents were unable to care for him.

She said Richardson first starting using marijuana when he was 11 years old and had moved onto methamphetamines and alcohol intermittently when he was 13-14.

Ms Shaw said Richardson was on meth at the time of this crime spree, which took place just over two months after being released from prison on parole.

“He has trouble controlling his impulses and that’s where he thinks he needs the most help,” she said.

Ms Shaw said Richardson was a father of two children, but he did not see his children much.

Judge Jeff Clarke said the defendant had a “terrible criminal history” for such a young person.

He encouraged Richardson to do something about his drug problem and impulse issues otherwise he would likely end up wasting his life being continuously locked up.

Judge Clarke sentenced Richardson to four years’ prison with parole eligibility on September 25, 2022, and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.