Lawnton man returns son’s games console in stolen car after fuel drive-offs

A north Brisbane father-of-three drove off twice without paying for fuel and also claimed he didn’t know he was driving a stolen car when returning his son’s gaming console.

A Lawnton father-of-three was so determined to have his son’s gaming console repaired he returned it in a stolen car while unlicensed, a court has heard.

Luke Dean Ryan, 26, appeared via video link in the Caboolture Magistrate Court on August 17, on two charges of stealing, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence as a repeat offender.

The court heard that on May 21, Ryan drove off from two service stations, one a Puma outlet on Steve Irwin Way, Glass House Mountains. He failed to pay for $50 worth of petrol on both occasions.

Ryan’s lawyer, Blair Hoolihan, said in the first drive-off, his client simply forgot his wallet.

On the second occasion, Ryan was distracted by an argument over the phone with his partner, while the driver of the car was yelling at his son in the back seat.

Mr Hoolihan said Ryan was flustered by the situation, which led to the offending.

The court also heard that between 12am and 4am on August 16, an unknown person entered a Elimbah home and drove away in an unlocked car.

That afternoon, police spotted the car being driven along William Berry Drive, Morayfield, then tracked it to the northern carpark of the Morayfield Shopping Centre.

Mr Hoolihan said Ryan was inside the shopping centre returning his son‘s gaming console for repair.

Police arrested Ryan when he returned to the parked car.

He made full admissions to receiving the key from an unnamed associate and to driving the car.

Police checks identified Ryan was driving without a valid licence.

Father of three Luke Dean Ryan. Source: Facebook

Police Prosecutor K.E Spicer tendered a 15-page criminal history which she said was littered with similar offences.

“... albeit the stealing offences are fuel, it shows through the defendant’s history that he has a continued need to take the property of others,” Ms Spicer said.

Mr Hoolihan said Ryan, a fencer, accepted he stole the fuel but said he was not the driver of the car on those occasions.

“My client had a friend visiting and said he needed to take this (gaming console) back under warranty and the friend said he could borrow the car,” Mr Hoolihan said.

“He shouldn’t of driven he was unlicensed, he didn’t appreciate the car was stolen but he should have been wary of where it came from.”

Magistrate Peter Hasted said Ryan should be aware of any acts that might involve criminal offences.

Ryan was convicted on all charges and sentenced to six months’ jail for the stealing charges, three months for receiving tainted property and six months for unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He was fined $650 for driving without a licence while being a repeat offender and ordered to pay $100 compensation for the stolen fuel.

He was given a parole release date of September 16.