Lee Carkeet: ‘Foolish’ Woodridge labourer cut off ankle tracker, broke into servo

A Woodridge labourer who cut his ankle tracker off only a few days after getting out of jail claims he took it off because he didn’t want to be mistaken for a sex offender, a court has heard.

A “foolish” Woodridge labourer who cut his ankle tracker off only a few days after getting out of jail claims he took it off because he didn’t want to be mistaken for a sex offender, a court has heard.

Lee William Carkeet, 45, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Thursday to enter premises with intent, unlawfully at large and wilful damage.

Lee William Carkeet. Picture: Facebook

The court heard Carkeet allegedly cut off his ankle tracker and was at large in Woodridge on June 18, 2021, only days after being released from Lotus Glen prison in Cairns on June 9, 2021.

The court heard he went on to break into Freedom Fuels at Underwood by smashing a window open and stealing some cigarettes on August 2, 2021.

The court heard Carkeet had a significant criminal history, including charges of robbery, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and entering premises with intent.

Magistrate Michael O’Driscall said the break-in was “unsophisticated” and “foolish” in light of his extensive history.

“You were obviously far desperate in relation to the issue of getting cigarettes and didn’t care what happened,” he said.

Carkeet’s lawyer told the court he had moved to the Woodridge area with some friends shortly after being released from Lotus Glen.

“He instructs they saw his ankle tracker and believed he was a sex offender, which is one of the reasons he states he cut the tracker off,” he said.

He said Carkeet had previously been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

He was ordered to complete an 18 month suspended sentence of imprisonment.