Benjamin Joel Henderson jailed for Fraser Coast crimes

A Fraser Coast man has been jailed for stealing high end cars and trading them for chump change, even posing with one on Facebook after he took it from a test drive.

A Urangan man has been jailed after he stole two high end cars and traded them for chump change, while also paying off a drug dealer with stolen jewellery.

Benjamin Joel Henderson’s list of jail sentences continued in Caloundra Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 9 after he was arrested for “brazen” offending on parole.

Police prosecutor Stephen Potter said the 25-year-old made off with a Toyota LandCruiser towing a trail bike on June 25 and offloaded it to a buyer for a measly $300.

The court was told it was later found on July 5 but had incurred $15,000 in damages.

Sergeant Potter said the Urangan man arranged to buy a high-end BMW for $8000 after taking it for a test drive in Runcorn on July 17.

Benjamin Joel Henderson. Picture: Facebook

Henderson ended up stealing the car and fleeing the scene, with the victim later finding a picture of the 25-year-old and his sibling on Facebook posing in front of the stolen vehicle on the Sunshine Coast.

He would later sell the BMW in exchange for an electric scooter and $800 cash.

The court heard on another occasion on July 22 in Eli Waters, Henderson stole a $480 gold bracelet from a jewellery shop, which he later told police he wanted to use to pay off a drug debt.

Benjamin Joel Henderson. Picture: Facebook

Defence solicitor Donna Hanslow-Hastie said the Urangan man came from a troubled childhood and struggled with drugs his entire life as he appeared from jail by videolink.

Magistrate Catherine Benson labelled the offending as “brazen” and “planned”, contrary to submissions from Henderson’s defence.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two of stealing and one of fraud.

Henderson was sentenced to 18 months’ jail with a parole eligibility date of January 23, 2023.

When asked by Ms Benson if he’d like to add anything after he was sentenced, Henderson replied “it is what it is”.

Convictions were recorded.