Rugby star Author Valentine put himself at risk of being deported when he committed stealing and fraud offences

The Queensland Country player described what he did as “an act of stupidity”. Full details of his offence and punishment here.

A Queensland Country rugby union star put himself at risk of being deported when he committed stealing and fraud offences at Yeppoon.

Author Valentine, 27, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on September 9 to one count of stealing and three counts of fraud.

Valentine is a talented rugby union winger who plays for the Capricorn Coast Crocs and was this year selected in the Queensland Country Heelers squad.

The court heard that on July 16, Valentine and another person, the victim, went to The Strand Hotel at Yeppoon.

While they were there, the victim lost their bankcard inside the venue.

About 9.30pm, Valentine found the card in the smoker’s area of the hotel and made no effort to locate its owner.

Valentine then used the card to make a number of transactions.

Almost immediately he went to the bar and purchased a drink for $8.20.

The following day, at 2.47pm, Valentine used the card at BWS Yeppoon to buy $35.99 worth of goods.

On July 18, about 11.30am, Valentine went to the bottleshop of the Kalka Palms Hotel in Rockhampton and bought alcohol to the value of $82.

During police investigations, CCTV footage was used to identify Valentine.

The court heard that prior to this offending, Valentine had no criminal history.

Talented rugby union player Author Valentine.

Valentine’s solicitor Luke Collins said Valentine was a Fiji national who was a farm labourer employed by The Real Group.

“It is through that association with the rugby club that The Real Group assisted him with a bridging visa before he obtained a working visa,” Mr Collins said.

Mr Collins said that after senior school in Fiji, Valentine worked for the American Embassy as a specialist welder for three years.

“Following that he obtained employment as a fisherman for approximately three to four years, before he returned to work on a farm owned by his family in Fiji.”

In 2019, Valentine came to Australia on a Pacific Island exchange scheme and worked as a labourer at a Rockhampton meatworks.

In November 2020, Valentine started his employment with The Real Group.

“His employer is now in the process of sponsoring him as a skilled worker through the Department of Home Affairs,” Mr Collins said.

Mr Collins said in relation to the offending, Valentine had instructed it was “an act of stupidity” and he was remorseful for his actions.

Mr Collins asked for no conviction to be recorded as it may affect Valentine’s future employment and sponsorship status.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Athol Kennedy told Valentine that CCTV cameras were at every pub, shop and club.

“So when you picked up that card, that was on the CCTV camera - they knew it was you, straight away,” Mr Kennedy said.

“And then when you went to various places, CCTV got you.

“Silly, so you run the risk today for $126.19, you run the risk today of being sent back to Fiji.

“Do you understand that?

“For next to nothing, you run the serious risk of going back to Fiji.”

Mr Kennedy placed Valentine on an eight-month good behaviour order with a $500 recognisance.

He also ordered Valentine pay $126.19 restitution.

No convictions were recorded.