Jari Rose Cross in court for public nuisance, wilful damage

Amid an ongoing dispute between a friend, a Nambour stonemason caused a scene in a Noosa bank and at a Sunshine Beach cafe. Here is what happened.

A Sunshine Coast court has heard how financial stress and a dispute between friends led a 36-year-old Nambour man to cause a scene in a Noosa bank and at a Sunshine Beach cafe.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on September 12, 2022 how Jari Rose Cross made threats at members of the public amid intense stress over a financial dispute between himself and a friend.

This included a man outside Jam Cafe on Sunshine Beach, who he threatened to punch on July 1, and staff at a Noosa Heads Westpac on August 10.

The court heard Cross became enraged after he realised a bank card he needed was missing and began making violent threats.

Police prosecutor Nick Nitschke said staff had tried to calm him down, but eventually called triple-0.

“He said he was going to bang his head against the window until it broke,” Sergeant Nitschke said.

He was arrested at the scene.

Sergeant Nitschke said it came after Cross was seen slashing his friend’s father’s car tyres at their Doonan home on August 1.

The court heard this was in an act of revenge after Cross’ friend allegedly crashed his car, resulting in $3500 worth of damage, and an ongoing dispute over payment.

He also breached his bail after not reporting to the police station when he was required.

But defence lawyer Michael Robinson said the offending came at a “particularly stressful time in his life”, amid not having a stable place to live, not being able to work and living off Centrelink while in constant pain from a sore tooth.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Jari Cross was in the midst of an ongoing financial dispute when he slashed his friend’s father’s tyres. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“This has been going on for two and a half months, and he has reacted in the way we heard,” Mr Robinson said.

“A lot of circumstances have exacerbated his personal stress, and these events have occurred.”

Cross was now looking for permanent accommodation, the court heard.

He pleaded guilty to four charges, including two of public nuisance, wilful damage and breaching bail.

He was fined $1200 and ordered to pay $750 in restitution.

A conviction was not recorded.