Gold Coast accessory to murder accused Zaynn Stevannes Bekker pleads guilty to Cannonvale bail breach

A Whitsunday man charged with being an accessory to murder on the Gold Coast has appeared in court arguing a Covid vaccination made him breach his strict bail conditions.

A Whitsunday man under strict police supervision after his alleged involvement in a murder has told a court “school holiday crowds” prevented him from complying with his bail conditions.

Zaynn Stevannes Bekker, 33, failed to report to Whitsunday Police Station in accordance with his bail conditions on Friday, September 24, telling officers who came to his home that night he simply forgot to do so because he was busy serving a larger than normal number of customers at his family’s barbershop.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard Mr Bekker was released on Brisbane Supreme Court bail in July under conditions including that he live with his mother in Cannonvale and report to Whitsunday Police Station between 8am and 4pm every day, Monday to Friday.

Police allege Mr Bekker helped two men flee to a hotel in Brisbane after the stabbing death of Beenleigh father Raymond Harris in Surfers Paradise in September 2020.

That matter is next listed for mention on December 10.

Zaynn Stevannes Bekker pleaded guilty to breach of bail condition. Picture: Facebook

Defence solicitor Demi Quadrio said Mr Bekker forgot to report on September 24 because his mother, who runs the hair salon, disrupted his normal work day routine by going to get a Covid-19 vaccination that morning.

He realised his mistake sitting on the couch that night and immediately alerted police, Ms Quadrio said.

“He [usually] drops mum off at salon then drives to [the police station] to sign in and then goes back to start his work day,” she explained.

“On this morning, his mother was getting her Covid-19 vaccination so he had to be at the salon himself to open everything up.

“He ultimately didn’t have time to then sign in as he usually would.

“He thought when his mum came back he would go and sign in so she could then take over the salon but at the time it was school holidays which as you can imagine is a very busy period.

“Ultimately, he was taking care of the salon, it was a busy period and he ultimately forgot.”

The court heard Bekker was completing an apprenticeship at his family’s hairdressing business. Picture: Facebook

Ms Quadrio highlighted that Mr Bekker had complied with all his other bail conditions and completed an outpatient drug and alcohol program since his release.

She asked that a conviction not be recorded as it could have negative impacts on his future job prospects.

Magistrate James Morton accepted the breach was on the lower end of severity but noted multiple bail breaches on Mr Bekker’s history.

He fined Bekker $450, with no conviction recorded, but warned him the courts were “running out of options” for any future breaches.