William Geoffrey Champness had been drinking rum before his bizarre burglary of his neighbour’s house

Once inside a Capricorn Coast home, a 26-year-old stole alcohol before taking his neighbour’s quad bike for a joyride and crashing it into a shed.

William Geoffrey Champness arrives at Yeppoon Courthouse on November 11, 2021.

In a bizarre crime, a Yeppoon man with no criminal history burgled his neighbour’s house, stole a bottle of rum and then took the victim’s quad bike for a joyride and crashed it.

William Geoffrey Champness, 26, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on November 11 to entering a dwelling and stealing, and unlawful use of a vehicle.

The court heard that on September 16, about 9.30am, the Bondoola victim left his house to run some errands.

About an hour later, Champness rode his motorbike from his residence to the victim’s house next door.

Champness and his neighbour knew each other.

Champness approached the neighbour’s closed and locked electric front gate, riding his motorbike into it.

The impact damaged the locking mechanism on the gate and also triggered it to swing open.

When Champness got to the house, he entered it through a rear door that was closed but unlocked.

Once inside, Champness opened the kitchen pantry and stole an opened 700ml bottle of Bundaberg rum that was about 30 per cent full.

Champness exited the rear of the house with the rum and walked towards the victim’s 680CC quad bike.

The quad bike had a trailer attached and the keys were in the ignition.

Champness got on the quad bike and then rode it around the back of the property.

He attempted to ride between the side of the house and a shed when the trailer hit the shed, causing damage to it and also a downpipe.

Champness then got off the quad bike and returned to his residence next door.

When he got home, Champness sent a series of text messages to his neighbour, apologising for his actions.

The victim subsequently called police and they attended.

Champness made full admissions to the offending and was extremely apologetic for his actions.

The victim made an insurance claim in relation to the damage that was caused - that cost a $2000 excess.

That amount was sought in restitution.

A solicitor said Champness had been residing with his father at Bondoola and had known the neighbour for about nine years.

“They have been fairly friendly in the past, which is why he felt comfortable texting him and apologising,” the solicitor said of the relationship between Champness and his neighbour.

The solicitor said Champness had drank a whole bottle of rum before going next door, and had been having personal problems.

The solicitor added that it was Champness’s intention to move to Brisbane where his mother resided.

“He also has a job opportunity in Brisbane,” the solicitor said.

“He’s very remorseful for his actions and it is extremely uncharacteristic for him.”

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale placed Champness on 12 months’ probation and ordered he pay $2000 restitution.

No conviction was recorded.