Ex-real estate agent Brent James Kershaw sentenced at Taree court for fraud, stealing offences

As an ex-realtor’s fraud crimes and substance abuse increasingly got out of control, one victim Googled his name and realised he was “up to his old tricks”. Here’s what happened in court.

Brent Kershaw has pleaded guilty to more fraud and stealing charges.

As an ex-real estate agent’s substance abuse and fraud offending spiralled out of control, one victim Googled his name and realised he was “up to his old tricks”.

Brent James Kershaw was a real estate agent for 18 years before he began abusing alcohol and drugs and lost his job, it was heard in Taree Local Court on Wednesday.

Kershaw appeared for sentencing supported by his father after pleading guilty to more than 15 offences, including several counts of shoplifting, obtaining financial advantage by deception and possessing a knife in public.

His lawyer told the court Kershaw was mortified and “hugely ashamed” about his offending, which ended about eight months ago.

Brent Kershaw leaves Taree court on August 28.

The court heard Kershaw had returned to the Taree area while on bail and would live with his parents – who would not tolerate drug use or illegal activity – if he was allowed to serve a sentence in the community.

It has emerged one of Kershaw’s recent victims in the Newcastle area suspected she was being scammed and did a Google search for his name.

The online search engine showed Kershaw had been sentenced in Taree Local Court in August last year for a range of larceny, fraud and driving offences.

At the time, Magistrate Alison Hawkins told Taree Local Court Kershaw let himself “get out of control very quickly” on methamphetamines and alcohol.

She described some of the stealing incidents as “unfortunate and embarrassing”.

Kershaw was convicted and fined for dishonestly obtaining financial advantage and driving without a licence.

He was placed on a 12-month community correction order for larceny, but continued offending.

Taree courthouse

On one occasion in October last year, a woman paid a $35 deposit for a pair of electric secateurs Kershaw advertised on Facebook Marketplace.

When her follow up messages went unanswered, she searched for Kershaw and took a screenshot of this publication’s article from August last year detailing previous crimes.

The woman sent the picture to Kershaw and asked if he was “up to his old tricks?”.

The court also heard that in September Kershaw walked into an Aldi store at Newcastle and tried to steal a pressure washer, toolbox and other items.

But a female shop assistant recognised Kershaw following previous thefts and she took the items from him before phoning police.

In September last year, Kershaw walked into an Aldi store at Newcastle and attempted to steal a pressure washer, toolbox and other items.

On the night of October 18, police were made aware Kershaw was at the Gunyah Hotel at Belmont, a Lake Macquarie suburb, and they went to speak with him.

Kershaw gave a fake name while speaking to officers in the poker machine section of the hotel about 11pm. They then discovered Kershaw was carrying a 20 centimetre long folding knife.

Asked why he was carrying the blade, Kershaw said it was to cut at skin on the palm of his hand, police state in court documents.

Kershaw complained of chest pain after being taken to the Belmont Police Station and he was taken to hospital. He was later arrested when police recognised him riding his bike along Ronald Rd, Taree on April 21.

Magistrate Brennan said during sentencing: “I’m not going to beat around the bush – the (jail) threshold has been crossed.”

However, Mr Brennan allowed Kershaw to serve time in the community.

Kershaw was placed on a new 18-month intensive correction order, which includes directions to engage in substance abuse counselling and to obtain a mental health care plan.

He was also ordered to submit to random alcohol and drug testing and to complete 200 hours of community service work.

Various compensation orders were granted varying from $35 to $200.