Virus cripples court attendance, many left to wait outside
More than 120 people were expected to appear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court today – close to half failed to appear earning themselves a harsher sentence. SEE THE LIST OF MATTERS DEALT WITH
Moreton
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A second magistrate, prosecutor and duty lawyer were put on to help deal with the 129 people expected to appear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court – but half of the defendants didn’t even bother to show up.
The large number of cases listed for July 20 was flagged two weeks ago.
SEE BELOW FOR THE LIST OF MATTERS DEALT WITH TODAY
Magistrate Mark Bucknall requested police to not issue any more notices to appear for that date and that no more matters be adjourned to July 20.
The court opened a second courtroom, usually occupied by QCAT matters on a Monday, and organised legal reinforcements to attend in an effort to deal with the matters in a timely fashion.
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Due to COVID-19 social distancing rules, defendants were required to wait outside until their names were called.
Just 10 defendants were allowed in courtroom one and two were allowed in courtroom two.
Magistrate Bucknall estimated close to half of the defendants did not attend.
“Prior to COVID most of them would turn up,” he said.
Duty lawyer Dean Mayr said when he saw the list he “thought we would be here until 6pm”.
“I expect a few warrants were issued,” Mr Mayr said.
Both courts were adjourned by 12.30pm.
Some matters were dealt with in the defendants’ absence and these attracted tougher sentences and fines.
Philip Paul Colegate, Joseph Mark Cowan, Clifford Raymond Wellor and George Thomas Frame were among the people who were issued with arrest warrants.
Some of the matters dealt with in Redcliffe Magistrates Court – July 20
■ Erica Ann Bradley, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous drug and drug utensil. Police located 0.2 grams of ice in her car and a glass pipe. She was convicted and not further punished due to the matter predating similar charges she was sentenced for earlier.
■ Nathan Leigh Batey was charged with driving while disqualified and contravening a police protection order. He has also been charged with a choking offence that is before the District Court. These matters were adjourned until February 4, 2021.
■ A 41-year-old Kippa-Ring man appeared via videolink from prison, charged with breaching a domestic violence order and breach of bail. He was arrested by Redcliffe police on July 19 after neighbours reported a loud argument at the unit. The defendant was not meant to be living with his partner or children under the conditions of the DVO. He was sentenced to four months for the DVO matter and convicted but not further punished in relation to the breach of bail. Magistrate Bucknall gave him immediate parole. The man is due back in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on Thursday on other matters.
■ Ben William Sheppard escaped adding any extra time to the 18-month sentence imposed by Caboolture Magistrates Court in February. Sheppard appeared in Redcliffe Magistrates Court charged with breaking into a caravan business at Burpengary East on December 17. The court heard he scaled a barbed wire fence, broke into several caravans and fled with a television, DVD player and toolbox – altogether worth $1500. Magistrate Bucknall ordered him to pay $1500 restitution. Sheppard was convicted but not further punished in relation to the other offences as they were linked to other matters for which he was already punished.
■ Hunter Kade Emmerson, 18, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, possession of a set of electric scales and possession of a knife. He was found in possession of the items at Newport on May 26. Emmerson was fined $600 for the knife charge and placed on a drug diversion program. No conviction recorded.
■ Cody James Browne was fined $750 for failing to appear in court on June 24. He had other matters including a trespass charge, adjourned until August 6.
■ Jarrod Anthony Lane was fined $450 for possession of cannabis and drug utensils. Police located the drugs and utensils in a car after Lane had been involved in a car crash at Sydney St, Redcliffe on March 26.
■ Jayden Scott Neil Moody appeared in Redcliffe Magistrates Court charged with a number of offences including stealing fuel, dangerous operation of a vehicle, evasion and other traffic matters. Moody plans to contest the charges. The matters were adjourned to various dates at three different courts.
■ William Ian Joseph Purcell appeared in relation to a stealing charge, It was adjourned to July 22.
■ Ryan McKenzie Shaw appeared in relation to a number of charges including stealing, receiving tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs and fraud. He is contesting the fraud charge. The matter was adjourned to September 14
■ Jacob Leigh Allan did not appear in court, but the matter was dealt with ex parte. He was fined $750 for possession of cannabis and a bong. A conviction was recorded.
■ Andrew Grahame Baird was fined $500 for possession of two glass pipes, which police found while searching his car at Old Bay Rd, Deception Bay, on May 22. Baird’s matter was dealt with ex parte.
■ Richelle Anne Baker submitted a written plea of guilty to the court and was fined $300 for possession of cannabis.
■ Kayla Maree Callaghan did not appear in court. She was fined $1200 for possession of ice, possession of a drug utensil and driving an unregistered and uninsured car.
■ Kym Sharee Cronin was fined $700 for failing to follow a police direction and possession of a drug utensil. She did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte.
■ Michael Patrick Gallagher did not appear in court and his public nuisance charge was dealt with ex parte. He was fined $700 for swearing, yelling and pretending to throw a glass bottle at people walking past him at Settlement Cove Lagoon park on May 3.
■ Rebecca Anne Walliker is contesting her charges, which include three serious assault charges. The matter was adjourned until September 14.
■ Samantha Jean Tondut, 32, was fined $2500 for dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving while unlicensed, a car registration offence and failing to appear in court. Tondut, of Cairns, committed the offences on March 24 at the Gold Coast. She was arrested in Redcliffe on a warrant on July 17, issued after she failed to appear in court on July 8. She pleaded guilty in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on July 20. No convictions were recorded for the fail to appear and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
■ Jade Paul Raye was fined $700 for possession of a drug utensil and other matters. He did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte.
■ Matthew Scott Saunders was fined $750 for possession of ice and a drug utensil. He did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte.
■ Joshua Mark Preston pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and was fined $400.
■ Trevor Anthony Shaw was fined $1200 for possession of a knife, which he told police he was carrying for his own protection. Shaw did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte. No conviction was recorded.
■ Axil Lee Roderick Harvey was fined $1200 for possession of two knives. He did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte. A conviction was recorded.
■ Daniel Paul Troy was fined $100 for stealing a $4 bag of lollies. He submitted a written plea of guilty to the court. A conviction was recorded.
■ Colleen Sarah Leigh Yeoman was fined $600 for possession of a drug utensil and ice. She did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte.
■ Neal Anthony Bennett was fined $600 for possession of a dangerous drug. He did not appear in court and the matter was dealt with ex parte.