Aidan Ryan: Ferny Hills man faces court after a trip to settle a debt went wrong

A 21-year-old Brisbane man’s “pathetic” involvement in recovering a debt has faced court after several months behind bars.

A 21-year-old Brisbane man who set out to recover a “debt” was “pathetic to have gotten involved”, a court has heard.

Ferny Hills man Aidan Ryan faced four charges including deprivation of liberty and common assault in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on Friday.

Ryan pleaded guilty to all four charges when he appeared via video link from Woodford Correctional Facility.

The court heard Ryan, along with a co-offender, entered Peter Parnell’s home at Ferny Hills on May 3 this year with the view to recover a debt.

The men taken tools and money from the house during the ordeal which included Mr Parnell and his 19-year-old son.

Mr Parnell, 47, declined to comment on the case.

Pine Rivers Magistrates Court.

The police prosecutor told the court the offences before the court “are extremely serious”.

“It appears to be in relation to a debt from the occupants brother owing money,” she said.

The court also heard Ryan was on parole at the time in regards to another robbery and common assault.

Ryan’s lawyer Trent Playford, from Wallace O’Hagan Lawyers, told the court his client was 20 years old at the time of the offence.

Acting Magistrate Patrick Murphy said Ryan was “young for a history that he’s racked up”.

Mr Playford agreed that Ryan’s history was concerning for someone his age.

It was noted he was supported in court by his mother and aunt.

Ryan moved to the Sunshine Coast in April 2019 after he was charged with a robbery offence.

The court then heard the 21-year-old has suffered from substance abuse issues with an addiction to ice off and on since his late teens.

“At the height of his addiction was in 2020 he weighed as low as 50kg when he went into custody for a previous matter,” Mr Playford said.

“He does have some history of employment when he is in the community but that has been limited.”

Pine Rivers Magistrates Court.

Mr Playford said his client was frustrated as the debt “didn’t have anything to do with him”.

“He involved himself with another person and decided to involve himself by attending.

“He’s now living with those consequences.

“He’s articulated to me … it was really just pathetic of him to get involved.”

The court heard Ryan intends to relocate to the Sunshine Coast with his mother and aunt.

Mr Murphy told the court he was “persuaded” to give Ryan “some opportunity at a future”.

“You’ve committed a number of offences over the last few years, you were on parole for two different sets of offences at the time you committed these offences,” he said.

“I take into account you have been in custody for five months.

“You’re still a young man and you may get the opportunity to help yourself once you’re released.”

Ryan was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years for the deprivation of liberty and enter dwelling charges.

He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years for the wilful damage and common assault charges.

Ryan’s unnamed co-offender received two years probation.