Brian Peter Rogers breaches child sex abuse material sentence with Bunnings theft

A North Qld man who ‘fell on hard times’ after being caught with 200 images of child exploitation material chose to ‘play with fire’ when he targeted Bunnings to start-up a business.

Anthony Andrew Thompson (left) and Brian Peter Rogers were convicted of child exploitation material, among other charges.

A child sex abuse offender has been spared jail for a second time after he shoplifted at Bunnings and breached a suspended jail term.

Defence barrister Scott McLennan told Mackay District Court Brian Peter Rogers had “fallen on hard times”, resorting to theft to try to support himself.

The court heard the 64 year old was living in Proserpine public housing when he stole $250 worth of gardening equipment from Bunnings on July 18, July 19, and August 8, 2022, with police finding the tainted property in his car.

“He wanted to start a lawn mowing business to try and make money,” Mr McLennan said.

“That’s why he was essentially stealing.”

Anthony Andrew Thompson (left) and Brian Peter Rogers were convicted of child exploitation material, among other charges.

Crown prosecutor Matthew Sutton said Rogers faced Proserpine Magistrates Court on November 7 for the three stealing and possessing tainted property offences where he received a $500 fine.

Rogers’ stealing had also breached suspended sentence conditions from a suspended 12 month jail sentence that was issued in November 2020 after he was caught with more than 200 images of child exploitation material.

Police had found the material during a raid on Roger’s yacht after he began stalking an insurance claim manager following Cyclone Debbie.

The suspended sentence had been due to end in November 2022 but after Rogers failed to report in May, 2021, it was extended by six months.

Mr Sutton said his latest breach was punishable by another sentence extension.

The court heard as a result of Roger’s child sex abuse material conviction, he had “lost essentially everything”.

Judge Gregory Lynham said Rogers was “playing with fire” by continuing to offend while under a suspended sentence.

“Ordinarily, if someone is back before the court for a second breach of suspended term of imprisonment, the court loses patience,” Judge Lynham said.

“While you‘ve fallen on hard times, there’s other ways you can try to improve that.

“Not by stealing property from hardware stores such as Bunnings.”

Rogers received a three month extension to his suspended sentence, which continues until August 2023.