Brisbane hospital guard in Caboolture court for stealing Airpods off patient

A father of four and hospital security guard, couldn’t explain why he stole from an ‘incapacitated’ patient.

A court north of Brisbane has heard how a Burpengary father and security guard at a Brisbane hospital, stole Apple Airpods from a sleeping woman during her stay in hospital.

Evile Junior Evile, 39, appeared in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on March 25, 2024, charged with stealing.

The court heard that on October 25, 2023 the victim was incapacitated and on a disability pension when she was admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital due to a chronic illness.

She had placed a set of Apple Airpods in a bedside drawer, before falling asleep in bed.

Police prosecutor Ms Whittaker-Morrow told the court that the next day, the victim was unable to locate the earphones and used a GPS tracking application on her phone, which returned an address in Burpengary.

“The defendant has made admissions to taking the Airpods while in the performance of his duties as a security officer at that hospital,” Ms Whittaker-Morrow said.

“He stated (to police) he knew it was wrong to take the Airpods.

“The victim stayed in hospital for a significant amount of time, was on a disability pension and is incapacitated with a long recovery ahead.

“The victim is still in rehabilitation and is not in a financial position to replace those items.”

Evile Junior Evile outside the Caboolture Magistrates Court on March 25, 2024.

Lawyer Fiona Graham told the court Evile has four children aged between 11 and 18 and had been married for 19 years.

“He’s mortified that he’s actually committed this offence,” Ms Graham said.

“He is still a guard at the RBH, has been for four years but as soon as this matter is finalised, he will lose his job.

“He’s extremely remorseful.

“He can’t explain why he did this, it was a stupid decision on his part.”

The court heard Evile is a New Zealand citizen and moved to Australia in 2009.

Magistrate Kurt Fowler told Evile he should be ashamed of his actions.

“You were working in security at the hospital,” Mr Fowler said.

“This lady in a vulnerable position has her Airpods taken.

“It’s an appalling offence.”

Mr Fowler fined Evile, who pleaded guilty $1,500, ordered to pay $500 compensation within seven days.

No conviction was recorded.