Three guns, ammo, car stolen during Yeppoon home break-in

A Central Queensland man woke late at night to find his house had been broken into and three guns, ammunition and his car stolen.

Thieves broke into a Yeppoon house at Lammermoor and stole guns, ammunition, other property and a car. Generic Picture: Brendan Francis

A Yeppoon man has faced court after he was the victim of a late night break-in to his house.

Paul Robert Forbes, 53, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on December 15 to failing to keep weapons in secure storage.

Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said that between 9pm and midnight on November 24, Forbes left two firearms on a coffee table in the living room of his Lammermoor residence and a shotgun behind his bedroom door.

Ms Bain said that while Forbes was asleep, offenders entered his house and stole the three guns, ammunition and other property.

The offenders fled in Forbes’ vehicle.

Forbes reported the break-in to police who attended his house.

Police checks revealed Forbes was licensed to possess each of the stolen weapons and there were appropriate storage facilities in his house.

“Other weapons were located securely in the gun safe,” Ms Bain said.

Forbes was subsequently charged.

The court heard Forbes had no criminal history.

Solicitor Allan Grant said Forbes owned his home, worked as a full-time train driver and had held a weapons licence “on and off” for about 20 years.

Mr Grant said Forbes had also represented Queensland in competition pistol shooting.

Mr Grant said on the night of the break-in, Forbes had been sizing the weapons and making a stand for them.

“So part way through the process of sizing those guns and also cleaning the other gun, he then went to sleep for a couple of hours, intending to wake in the middle of the night as he often does as a train driver who often works strange hours, and complete the task,” Mr Grant said.

“Unfortunately during that period, thieves broke into his place and those weapons were stolen which brought this matter to the attention of the police.

“Otherwise, he’s always complied with his obligations under licensing laws.”

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Cameron Press said Forbes’ actions had been “very negligent”.

“Because I’m sure you would have been concerned, and you should have been concerned, if someone had entered your place as they did, took the weapons as they did, and either killed or maimed someone,” Mr Press said.

“So if you’re in possession of weapons again, it comes with responsibilities - you failed in your responsibilities here.”

Mr Press fined Forbes $750 and he did not record a conviction.