Rueban James Fulford spends up big with stolen credit card at Townsville businesses

A “determined” Townsville criminal pounced on a lost credit card to go on a spending spree along Palmer St before the money tap was eventually turned off.

Rueban James Fulford pleaded guilty to going on a spending spree on Palmer St with a stolen credit card. Picture: Supplied.

A determined crook pounced on a credit card dropped in the Townsville CBD and made a beeline for the bottle shop before embarking on a spending spree, a court has heard.

On May 25, a man dropped his ANZ credit card after making a purchase at a Flinders St business, which was picked up by Townsville man Rueban James Fulford.

Starting at Liquor Legends, Fulford made multiple purchases and purchase attempts at South Townsville businesses, between 5.15pm and 8.40pm.

Rueban James Fulford pleaded guilty to going on a spending spree on Palmer St with a stolen credit card. Picture: Supplied.

Police prosecutor Luay Allawy said these included the NightOwl, Australian Hotel, Kwik Shop, Shamrock Hotel before the card’s owner was alerted to the fraudulent activity and disabled his credit card.

Fulford subsequently made four failed purchase attempts at the Bellevue Hotel.

Appearing by video link in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Fulford pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and four counts of attempted fraud – dishonest application of property of another.

Police prosecutor Luay Allawy said Fulford racked up a $726.26 bill during the spree, with the offending aggravated by being committed while on parole.

With Fulford’s “lengthy” 11 page criminal history largely absent of dishonesty offences, the prosecutor regarded a two to four month prison sentence as appropriate.

Rueban James Fulford pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and four counts of attempted fraud – dishonest application of property of another. Picture: Supplied.

Defence lawyer Nico Rump described it as a “crime of opportunity”, to which magistrate Ross Mack replied, “it was a crime of persistence, he was determined, he was industrious, he’s had 12 goes at it, eight of which were successful”.

Rueban James Fulford had an eight page criminal history. Picture: Supplied.

After having his parole cancelled regarding these matters, Mr Rump said his client had spent a substantial amount of time behind bars.

Pointing out the lack of similar offending, Mr Rump asked for a suspended period of imprisonment.

Mr Mack said offending was motivated by personal gain where Fulford found the credit card “made a beeline for the liquor shop”, with the offending only stopping after the card was cancelled.

“What you do need to know is, when you commit another offence, you get another stretch,” he said.

Allowing for 124 days served in presentence custody, and the offending while on parole, the magistrate imposed an additional month of imprisonment on Fulford.

A parole eligibility date was set for October 18, with convictions recorded.

Originally published as Rueban James Fulford spends up big with stolen credit card at Townsville businesses