Kea Edward Paku-Humbert pleaded guilty to robbery with personal violence

A quick ping of a mobile phone would bring a Hervey Bay scooter thief unstuck and police to his door.

Kea Edward Paku-Humbert, 21, pleaded guilty to robbery in company with personal violence when he faced Hervey Bay District Court.

After stealing a teenager’s scooter near Hervey Bay’s Night Owl convenience store, one man might have thought he would get away with it.

But it didn’t take police long to catch up with him after the victim’s mother pinged her son’s phone, which had been left on the scooter.

Kea Edward Paku-Humbert, 21, pleaded guilty to robbery in company with personal violence when he faced Hervey Bay District Court.

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher said along with another man, Paku-Humbert had approached an 18-year-old and took his scooter.

The incident happened on December 29, 2021, the court heard, at the Night Owl.

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Paku-Humbert demanded the scooter, punching the boy to the left side of his mouth then taking off.

Judge Michael Burnett said the conduct of Paku-Humbert was “disgraceful”.

“It wasn’t difficult to locate you,” he said.

“The complainant’s phone was on the scooter and the complainant’s mother was able to ping the phone and locate it.”

The had led police to Paku-Humbert and a warrant was executed, Mr Burnett said.

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Defence barrister Phillip Hardcastle said Paku-Humbert was currently employed as a concreter.

A letter from his employer was submitted to the court.

He had family support, Mr Hardcastle said, including his father and stepmother.

His mother had died of lung cancer when he was 10.

Paku-Humbert was sentenced to two and a half years in prison with immediate release on parole.