James Andrew Stuart Downer found with stolen motorcycle after search warrant

A Sunshine Coast labourer has been told he “should’ve known better” after buying a dodgy stolen bike.

James Andrew Stuart Downer leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Turner

A labourer has been told he “should’ve known better” after buying a stolen motorcycle in a dodgy deal before tactical police found it at his home.

The Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad descended on James Andrew Stuart Downer’s Tanawha home on January 8 where they recovered the 2017 black Yamaha motorcycle which had been reported stolen a year-and-a-half ago from a Gold Coast unit complex.

Police prosecutor Mark Burrell told Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday the owner of the bike left it in an underground car park on October 31 in 2023 and returned early the next morning to find it had disappeared.

Sergeant Burrell said QBE Insurance paid out the owner for the motorcycle.

Fast forward to early January this year, the specialist police squad raided a Tanawha home and found several motorbikes in various stages of restoration.

Downer after his sentence. Picture: Sam Turner

The court heard officers checked the vehicle identification number of the Yamaha motorcycle which revealed it was stolen. Residents at the home said it belonged to Downer.

Police returned to the property on January 25 to speak to the 24-year-old however he declined an interview and was given a notice to appear for unlawful possession of a motor vehicle with intent to deprive.

The Tanawha man pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

Duty solicitor Katie Paterson was instructed Downer bought the motorcycle from a friend for $500 a year ago and admittedly found it suspicious due to the price, but didn’t ask any questions.

Ms Paterson said the bike was not operational and was just being used as cheap parts for the NSW-born labourer’s other motorcycles

Magistrate Rod Madsen plainly told Downer it was a stupid decision to buy the bike and “should’ve known better”.

Downer was jailed for three months, but it was suspended immediately for 12 months.