Robert John Hepworth had bag of meth with his name on it

A Caloundra life coach and mentor who went fishing without any rods was found in possession of a bag of meth with his name on it.

A 40-year-old Caloundra life coach who was found in possession of a bag of meth with his name on it had his DNA traced back to a daring theft of a man’s fishing rod.

Police spoke to Robert John Hepworth at Caloundra’s Puma service station about 11.50pm on August 30 and asked what he had been up to.

The 40-year-old told police he had been fishing, which the officers found odd because he had no fishing gear.

Caloundra Magistrates Court heard two bags containing a total of 2.44g of meth was found in his possession, as well as a crack pipe and a cut down straw.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said the name “Rob” was written on one of the baggies.

Hepworth said they weren’t his.

Unbeknown to Hepworth, the fingerprints he gave to police after his drug arrest linked him to the brazen theft of a fishing rod last year.

The court heard the item was stolen from a Golden Beach unit about 8.30pm on October 23, 2020.

Only a fingerprint was left behind by the thief, which was linked to Hepworth.

Sergeant Newman said a search on Hepworth’s home uncovered the fishing rod, valued at $1500.

The court heard Hepworth had no criminal history and was a youth mentor and life coach in the community.

Hepworth pleaded guilty to stealing and possessing meth, a scoop and a pipe and was fined $1000.

He was ordered to pay $1500 compensation for the fishing rod with no convictions recorded.