Serial offender Bodhi James Barry Johnson caught for stolen car arson on CCTV

A serial offender’s downfall came when he was caught on CCTV torching a stolen car — only to be arrested days later at Willows Shopping Centre wearing the same outfit.

Bodhi James Barry Johnson has pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson in Townsville District Court.

A serial offender’s downfall came when he was caught on CCTV torching a stolen car — only to be arrested days later at Willows Shopping Centre wearing the same outfit.

Bodhi James Barry Johnson, 28, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson in Townsville District Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that CCTV from a nearby store captured him parking a stolen car around 6.30am on April 9, 2023, before getting out, pouring fuel inside, and setting it on fire.

Crown prosecutor Grace Ollason said the footage also showed another car waiting nearby, which Johnson got into before leaving the scene.

She said the car he torched had been taken from a home in Hyde Park by “unknown offenders.”

“The defendant has indicated he was unaware that it was a stolen car, but nonetheless, he has pleaded guilty to unlawfully using that car,” she said.

Police attended Willows Shopping Centre on April 22 for an unrelated incident and arrested Johnson after they noticed he was wearing clothing that matched the CCTV.

Police had also located a fingerprint on the fuel cap of the burnt car and charged him on June 12.

Crown prosecutor Ollason said Johnson, who first appeared in court at age 20, has been sent back to custody multiple times over the years, spending nearly seven years behind bars for various offences, many committed while on parole.

“He’s also been dealt with for some serious offences, including the most serious, of which the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while excessively speeding and leaving the scene,” she said.

The court heard he had been serving time for that offence when he escaped the Townsville Correctional Centre low-security men’s farm on October 7, 2019, and went on a two-day crime spree.

Bodhi James Barry Johnson being arrested after he escaped Townsville Correctional Centre.

Defence barrister Tom Hancock said his client claims he had been the victim of a sexual assault in custody, which had “motivated” his escape.

“He didn’t proceed with a formal complaint to police for fairly obvious reasons,” he said.

A psychiatrist report he presented to the court outlined Johnson had been diagnosed with mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder and auditory hallucinations.

The court heard that he also had a history of significant drug use.

Mr Hancock said his client had been “compliant” with taking his antipsychotic medications while in custody and had noted his mental health was “stabilising”.

He said he’s hopeful about returning to Townsville, living with his sister or brother-in-law, and finishing his abandoned butchering apprenticeship.

Judge Deborah Richardson sentenced the man to three years jail with a parole eligibility date of February 13, 2025 as she declared 274 days of pre-sentence custody as time served.

Originally published as Serial offender Bodhi James Barry Johnson caught for stolen car arson on CCTV