John Anthony Lennon charged with alleged fraud, tainted property, stealing

A Logan tradesman has been charged for allegedly posing as Telstra worker so he could strip and sell more than $1 million worth of copper cables from southeast Queensland properties.

John Anthony Lennon has been charged with alleged fraud, possessing tainted property and stealing.

A Loganholme tradesman with no criminal history allegedly defrauded southeast Queensland residents of more than $1 million after fraudulently posing as a Telstra maintenance worker, a court has heard.

John Anthony Lennon, 48, appeared before Cleveland Magistrates Court on June 18 charged with fraud, receiving tainted property, stealing and dishonestly gaining a benefit/advantage.

Mr Lennon was alleged to have defrauded Advanced Metal Recyclers at Capalaba of more than $100,000 and multiple residents and businesses of up to $1 million.

A police prosecutor alleged Mr Lennon set up multiple barricades in residential areas at in Capalaba and Chandler while posing as a Telstra worker.

“He’s acting like a legitimate Telstra worker and stripping the cables and going on to sell them,” the prosecutor said. “He sold the copper wire.’’

The court heard that Mr Lennon was on bail and was wearing a monitoring device.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said the tracker could alert police if Mr Lennon was found to be near a known Telstra “pit”.

“If you are located in a rural area where copper wire has been stolen then police would have a head start on their investigation,” Ms Vasta said.

The prosecutor said Mr Lennon must remain with a tracking device to give businesses and residents in the community some “comfort”.

“Their cables were being taken out of the ground,” she said.

The court was told Mr Lennon may face more charges in coming weeks.

“This is a complicated matter and fresh charges may come through,” the prosecutor said.

Ms Vasta ordered that Mr Lennon remain on bail and report twice weekly to police.

She ordered he have no contact with any metal recycling companies or employees.

“I don’t want you getting any employees to do this for you,” she said.

His matter was adjourned to August 22, 2024.

Mr Lennon has not yet entered any pleas to the charges.

Originally published as John Anthony Lennon charged with alleged fraud, tainted property, stealing