The Redcliffe Magistrate had to dish out sentences for some very quirky offences this past week
Jail for stealing plasterboard; a drunken resort rampage, a $4000 drone scam – these are just some of the quirky court cases heard in Redcliffe Magistrates Court this past week.
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Some weird, wacky and quirky matters were heard in Redcliffe Magistrates Court this past week.
It follows the reopening of the courts after COVID-19.
During the pandemic most matters were adjourned for three months, creating a backlog for most southeast Queensland Magistrates.
Here are five quirky maters heard this past week.
Jason Carl Durant
A 27-year-old Peninsula man who stole a number of plasterboard sheets from a construction site in order to build his children a cubby house has been sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Jason Carl Durant pleaded guilty to stealing a number of plasterboard sheets from the construction site of a new home at Newport on May 3, 2020 in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on June 19.
The court heard Durant stole the sheets so he could build a cubby house for his two children, aged 4 and 9.
Magistrate Bucknall said stealing from homes under construction in Newport was a growing issue.
He told Durant he should have gone to Bunnings to get what he needed not just “take whatever you like”.
The court heard that Durant had a “concerning history” with a number of offences for fraud, shoplifting and drugs.
Magistrate Bucknall sentenced him to 12 months prison with an immediate parole release date.
Mark Rule
A Victorian man has coped a hefty fine after going on a drunken rampage at a Tangalooma Island resort in January.
Mark Rule’s matter was mentioned in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on June 15, he was not required to appear.
The court heard that Rule caused $1735.30 worth of damage to garden lights at the resort and screen door to a villa on January 31, 2020.
Police were called and spoke to a number of witnesses.
The man was later located that night by paramedics after he had suffered an epileptic fit.
Rule was taken back to the resort where he told police he often didn’t remember the events in the lead up to a fit and that he was “sorry for any criminal acts he may have committed”.
He was fined $1200 and ordered to pay $1735.30 in restitution.
No conviction was recorded.
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Daniel Robert Smith
Daniel Robert Smith made sure to inform Magistrate Bucknall of his ability to pay back his fines while pleading guilty to one charge of possessing a dangerous drug.
Smith appeared, in custody, in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on June 15.
The court heard police located Smith hiding behind a couch while executing a search warrant. Smith was wanted on a return to prison warrant.
During a search of the property police found one bud with a green leafy material in a snap lock bag, which was later determined to be cannabis.
“I take full responsibility for the cannabis and I am capable of paying any fines your honour may see fit,” Smith told Magistrate Bucknall from the dock.
“I do have other fines totalling $228, but I’ve paid it down, it was once $49,000. I pay my fines.”
Magistrate Bucknall said the offence was at the lower end of the scale and added another $350 fine to Smith’s record. A conviction was recorded.
Danial James Atta-Singh
A 40-year-old man trying to make a quick buck has been handed a hefty fine.
Danial James Atta-Singh pleaded guilty to four charges including possessing stolen items and dishonesty offences in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on June 17.
Atta-Singh sold a stolen mountain bike on October 29, 2019, at Cash Converters for $40.
On January 15, 2020 he tried to make another quick buck selling a stolen Samsung mobile phone at pawn shop at Deception Bay.
The man will have to find a way to honestly make a few dollars in order to pay back the $1200 fine Magistrate Bucknall handed down. A conviction was recorded
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Blake Ken Stam
A ploy to snare an expensive drone at a bargain price has backfired for Blake Ken Stam.
The man responded to a Facebook post where a person was trying to sell a drone for $4190.
Stam agree to buy the drone for that price and met with the victim.
He sent a screenshot showing money had been transferred to the victim’s account and the drone was handed over on July 1, 2019.
The victim later realised that Stam had only transferred $1.
Despite numerous attempts to have the drone returned or the money transferred Stam did not respond.
Stam’s matter was mentioned in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on June 19, he was not required to appear.
Magistrate Bucknall ordered him to pay back the remaining $4189 as well as a $2000 fine.