Bailey John Keep convicted of stealing handbag from Grand Central store

A father of two stole a $199 handbag from a Grand Central store as a present for his ex-partner, only to destroy the bag a court has been told.

A Toowoomba man flogged a $199 from a store in Grand Central as a birthday present for his ex-partner, only to throw the bag away.

Bailey John Keep appeared in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to stealing.

The court was told that on October 25 this year the 22-year-old was walking through Grand Central shopping centre when he passed by the Strandbags store.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said Keep snatched a $199 handbag from a display rack at the front of the store before leaving Grand Central without paying for the bag.

On November 2 police found Keep on Ruthven Street and after initially denying any knowledge of the bag he eventually told police he stole the bag as a gift for his ex-girlfriend for her birthday but that he never gave it to her, and “disposed” of it.

Keep’s solicitor Jag MacDonald said his client was a father of two young children, but at the age of 14 he became addicted to methamphetamine.

Mr MacDonald said Keep had been living on the street since his drug problems started but had recently been taken in by his aunt and uncle.

“His uncle is a firm man … he is an authority figure in his life and that is an opportunity for him to stay off the methamphetamine,” he said.

Magistrate Kay Ryan ordered Keep perform 50 hours community service, to be completed within 12 months, and that he pay restitution of $199. A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Bailey John Keep convicted of stealing handbag from Grand Central store