Jonathon William Bryan in Rockhampton court for fraud

A Central Queensland man who pawned a stolen camera and equipment and received fuel money as compensation claims he had no knowledge the items were stolen.

Jonathon William Bryan, 57.

A Central Queensland man who pawned a stolen camera and equipment for another person and received fuel money as compensation claims he had no idea the items were stolen.

Jonathon William Bryan, 57, pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 7 to one count each of fraud and possessing tainted property.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said a person entered a car that was parked outside a room at Rocky Gardens Motor Inn on Lower Dawson Rd, Allenstown, on May 25 about 3am and stole items, including a black backpack containing a camera and camera equipment.

Senior Constable Rowe said the person attended Bryan’s home about noon and asked if he would like to try and pawn the property as he didn’t have any identification.

She said Bryan took the backpack, camera and camera equipment to Cash Convertors on Yaamba Rd, Park Avenue, signed that he was the lawful owner of the property and received $1200.

She said Bryan handed the person the cash and received fuel money as compensation.

Detectives from the Rockhampton Property Crime Unit attended Cash Convertors on May 26 and seized the stolen camera and equipment and were given the transaction documents Bryan had signed and CCTV footage capturing the incident.

Senior Constable Rowe said $1200 restitution was sought from Cash Convertors.

Bryan, who had a three-page criminal record, told the court he thought the person owned the items.

“He did have the same type at his house,” he said.

“I thought it was his.”

Magistrate Grace Kahlert ordered Bryan to perform 40 hours of unpaid community service in the next year.

Convictions were recorded. Bryan was not ordered to pay any restitution.