Jaime Abbas, Nicholas Crouch return to court over alleged crime spree

Two men facing more than 100 charges over an alleged wild crime spree have had their matters progressed, with one pleading guilty to a string of offences and the other ordered to get out of town.

Nicholas David Crouch and Jaime John Abbas are charged with carrying out an months-long crime spree across the Southern Downs, which allegedly include burglaries, break and enters, arson and drug deals.

Two Warwick men facing more than 100 charges related to an alleged months-long crime spree targeting properties across the region have had their matters progressed in court, with one man banished from the Rose City and the other undergoing inpatient rehab.

Jaime John Abbas and Nicholas David Crouch are each charged with dozens of property and drug offences, including burglary, arson, break and enter, unlawful use of motor vehicle and stealing, receiving tainted property and possessing drugs.

It is alleged the pair were part of a group that carried out a destructive crime spree across the Southern Downs,

The alleged crimes include break-ins and thefts at a number of rural properties to the west and north of Warwick between March and July last year, sweeping from Rosenthal Heights up to Massie, Allora, and Clifton.

Cash, tools and an assortment of firearms were reported stolen and a car was allegedly set on fire.

Mr Abbas is also charged with eight counts of selling dangerous drugs, and Mr Crouch is charged with producing dangerous drugs.

A 27-year-old Mr Abbas appeared in Warwick Magistrates on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to possessing meth, four counts of breaching bail and two of possessing a glass pipe.

Abbas was busted with 1.5g of ice and a pipe at his Rosenthal Heights home on May 23, 2022, and was again found with a pipe used to smoke drugs on August 17 at the same property.

He breached bail by being in Warwick while banned from entering the Southern Downs region, and by having contact with Mr Crouch and other co-accused.

Defence solicitor Clare Hine said her client was one month in to a year-long inpatient rehab program.

“It involves various programs and a substantial amount of volunteer works, and in the time I have seen him in the jail system, there seems to be a very big change in him,” she said.

Jaime Abbas had a promising football career and was spotted by multiple NRL clubs before drugs took hold and derailed his life.

Ms Hine said the once-promising athlete’s life spiralled into drug abuse and crime after a relationship breakdown.

“He really excelled at football and was actually spotted by the (North Queensland) Cowboys and Manly,” she said.
“He separated from a long-term girlfriend and it was at that point drugs took a hold of him. He had no history prior to 2020 and you will see it is nearly all drug offending.”

During Wednesday’s sittings of the Warwick Magistrates Court, it was heard Mr Abbas had spent almost six months in police custody on remand.

Magistrate Virginia Sturgess told Abbas it was clear drugs had “ruined your life”.

“It is a sad thing to see, Mr Abbas,” she said.

“You obviously had a lot of good things, positive things, going for you and drugs ruined your life.

“You’re going to be 28 this year, you’re not a child any more. You are a grown-up and you have perhaps spent the past couple of years in a bad place, so you need to work very hard to turn that around.”

Mr Abbas was fined $750.

Nicholas Crouch remained in the watch-house while lawyer Hamish Chapman requested bail for his client.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess granted the request on the condition Mr Crouch does not go within 50km of the township of Warwick, except for prearranged legal appointments.

Mr Crouch’s matters and Mr Abbas’ remaining charges were adjourned to the Warwick Magistrates Court for committal mention on March 22.