Southport court: Funny, unusual or outrageous cases in 2020
The Southport Courthouse hears scores of cases each day throughout the year. Here are some of the quirkiest matters to appear in Southport in 2020.
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THE SOUTHPORT Courthouse hears scores of cases each day through out the year.
In 2020 some of those before the courts were a little left of centre.
Here are some of the quirkiest, most outrageous and unusual defendants to appear in Southport in the past year.
1. From Playboy to PM
Former Playboy model Azzra Hughes vowed to clean up her act after being sentenced again in January for possessing drugs – on that occasion three grams of cocaine.
Outside court she took her promise a step further speaking about her aspirations to become the prime minister.
Her political career however may be hampered after being found with drugs, including cocaine, four times in 18 months.
Hughes was fined $1000 in January and given a two-month driving ban.
She has never had a conviction recorded against her.
The former model, who has more than 7,000 followers on Instagram, has not been in trouble since appearing in court in January.
Hughes regularly posts model glamour shots on social media and describes herself as an adoption ambassador for the Animal Welfare League.
2. Relieving the tension
Judges, magistrates, prosecutors and criminal defence lawyers will deal with some of the most horrific crimes each day.
Despite the serious work, they can often see the lighter side of the world and make a quick joke to release the tension.
In 2020 the Bulletin compiled a list of the funniest quotes overheard in court.
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In one case during a long sentencing hearing a judge became worried about those sitting in the back of court waiting for the next matter and generously told them: “I’ll be about another 20 minutes. If anyone is going to go hypoglycaemic, go and have a banana.”
The rise in telephone appearances due to the coronavirus pandemic was also causing issues. One morning the song Closing Time was playing loudly over the phone as hold music as the magistrate walked in. “Am I in the right place?,” she asked.
3. Catching crime on tape
David Joseph Parker’s attack using a chisel, hammer and power tools to break down an elderly couple’s front door was nothing short of terrifying.
What made the act so unusual was that Parker filmed himself doing it.
The terrifying eight minute video of his actions were played to the Southport District Court when he was sentenced in December for multiple charges including stalking, stealing and fraud.
Parker was sentenced to three years prison and released on December 11 – just shy of serving a year behind bars.
He claimed he was trying to rescue a one-eyed Shih tzu that belonged to him.
The elderly couple had owned the dog for years.
4. Weird reason for not paying rent
A Gold Coast company formerly directed by a dead disgraced lawyer has had to cough up $71,000 in rent arrears.
Convicted fraud Michael Yarwood told the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in June last year that Fu Manchu Dining in Chevron Island did not have to pay the money because a gravel car park nearby left its restaurant dusty.
He claimed the company spent $43,000 paying staff about five hours overtime a day to clean Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen.
However, QCAT found that Mr Yarwood’s claims “lacked evidence” and ordered Fu Manchu Dining pay the rent to landlord SP (Qld) Pty Ltd. The decision had been made earlier but it took until February this year for the QCAT findings to be revealed.
Mr Yarwood was found dead in his Main Beach apartment in July 2019.
5. ‘Idiotic’ arson attempt
An Instagram bodybuilder left his iPhone near his father’s car after he torched it near an upscale Gold Coast health spa in an “idiotic” attempt to get insurance money.
Stefan Anthony Vicelic had used the phone to search for tips about jerry cans and which type of petrol was best to light a fire.
The bodybuilder also burnt his hands, wrists and ankles setting the blaze.
The 27-year-old, who has more than 26,000 followers on Instagram, was also found to have breached his bail by using social media despite bail conditions banning him from the apps.
Vicelic pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court in August to arson and breach of bail.
The judge described Vicelic’s attempts as “idiotic”.
He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years with parole release on December 20 this year.
6. Switzerland near the courthouse
A cafe near the Southport Courthouse took on an unusual role this year – acting as Switzerland for prosecutors, lawyers and criminals.
Verdict Cafe has become a gathering place before and after court for those chasing their caffeine hit.
The cafe also doubles as an unofficial place to do business.
Verdict remained opened during the coronavirus pandemic providing takeaway for those who still had to make their way to court.
7. Unlikely hiding place
A Gold Coast woman who was caught with Viagra stashed in a very unlikely place was also found squatting in a Broadbeach holiday rental.
Lilly Te-Aroha Hawira was found with a Viagra tablet in her bra and 30ml of the drug fantasy.
She was sentenced to six months prison which was wholly suspended
8. Honest mum
A Gold Coast mother was a little too honest with a magistrate in February, telling the court she could guarantee she would stay out of trouble while on a good behaviour bond.
Axa Brandi Van Haeren told the magistrate: “I can try (to behave), the whole reason I got these charges is because I can’t afford the things, so I’m not going to promise you anything, but yeah, what can I say?”
Van Haeren pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court in February to a string of stealing and drug offences.
The court heard she stole $2021.60 worth of items from several shops with another woman
9. Expensive chips
A Gold Coast man’s “stupid” act has resulted in a very expensive bag of Twisties.
Thomas Cummings stole a packet of the chips valued at $3.50 from the 7-Eleven convenience store at Surfers Paradise on January 15.
He got a $50 for the offence and will have to pay the $125.80 offender levy after he pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court in February.
“It was just dumb, it was just stupid, a packet of chips,” Cummings, who self-represented, said.
“I went back and tried paying for it, but the same worker wasn’t on.”
10. Caught with Red Rooster
A teenage car thief was caught by a warm Red Rooster bag and CCTV in the fast food restaurant’s drive-through.
Thomas Craig Grundy, 18, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court in July to 20 offences including four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence disqualified by a court order, and property offences.
The court heard his “unbroken” two-month crime spree started just two weeks after he turned 18 on April 30.
When he stole a car from Benowa in April, police noticed a warm Red Rooster bag when they went to visit him at his home.
CCTV from the nearby Red Rooster caught him driving the stolen Lexus through the drive-through.
Senior Constable Lewis Butterfield said: “There were a number of those (offences) where the defendant is seen driving stolen vehicles. In one circumstance, (he) was actually hiding from police in a cupboard and then located with keys for a stolen vehicle that he was observed driving.”
Grundy was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and his licence was disqualified for two years. He spent 25 days in custody.
A conviction was not recorded.
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