Jack Beasley charity box thief named in Southport court and sentenced
It has been revealed why a man stole a Jack Beasley Foundation charity box. Read the latest from court. SEE THE VIDEO
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The thief who attended a Gold Coast bowlo high on Xanax – and on parole for other matters – barely recalls stealing a Jack Beasley Foundation charity box.
Andrew John Neilsen, 39, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrate’s Court on Monday to stealing, possession of dangerous drugs, and failing to properly dispose of needles.
It comes after Neilsen and a co-accused woman attended Helensvale Lawn Bowls Club last month.
The police prosecution told the court the woman reached behind the bar to break the cable ties anchoring the box to the till.
CCTV footage shows Neilsen sliding the box into a black duffle bag while his co-accused distracts a staffer.
The footage was released to the public and shared via social media in hopes of identifying the couple. It took days before Neilsen was found and charged.
An arrest warrant was issued and police found Neilsen in a tent at an Oxenford park over the weekend.
He “made full admissions” to stealing the donation box, telling police he’d since “broken the container and left it somewhere in Helensvale”.
Neilsen told arresting officers the box had $75 in it and it had already been spent. A subsequent police search uncovered a syringe in Neilsen’s pocket and illegal drugs.
Neilsen told arresting officers the box had $75 in it and it had already been spent. A subsequent police search uncovered a syringe in Neilsen’s pocket and illegal drugs.
The defence, Cheonton Strickland of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said the dad-of-one “doesn’t particularly recall the events” because “he was under the influence of Xanax”. “He acknowledges it was the wrong thing (to do and) he shows remorse. The reason for him taking (it) was he was needing some money to purchase food and other items.”
Mr Strickland said Neilsen has been homeless for a year and a half, after release from custody, and has lived in the Oxenford park for a few weeks now.
The defence said of Neilsen’s criminal record, which Mr Strickland described as “lengthy”, including “entries of a like nature”. The lawyer said it reflected a “long-standing” drug problem.
Mr Strickland told the court Neilsen was under supervision of Community Services, on parole for unrelated matters from 2020.
“(This) supervision can assist with rehabilitation,” the lawyer said.
Mr Strickland asked the magistrate to consider a fine, to be deferred to SPER given Neilsen’s “limited means”.
The defence also noted Neilsen suffers from “severe depression and anxiety” but has been seeing a Southport psychologist for some time now.
Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson congratulated the offender on engaging in treatment, as well as “taking responsibility” and showing remorse for the criminal behaviour, but gave a stern warning about his offending.
“It’s obviously very important to charities to be able to fundraise. Members of the community donate their money for that cause, not for you to be able to help yourself.”
Ms Thompson said Neilsen’s circumstances go some way to contextualise his offending, but told him drugs are “no excuse”.
The magistrate noted “dishonesty” offences and “long history of drug use” on Neilsen’s record, handing down a $400 fine and recording a conviction.
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