Alex Kever: Man trespassing at Haeduri Chicken Southport restaurant after Cyclone Alfred

A restaurant manager attempting to secure a front door damaged after recent wild weather was in for a fright when he spotted this man inside. Read what this crim told the court.

Alex Kever was sentenced for trespassing and breaching bail conditions when he appeared from custody via videolink in the Southport Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Facebook

A trespasser inside a Korean chicken restaurant - after cyclone impacts damaged the front door - scared the manager when claiming it was “Australian land” and “I own this place”.

Alex Kever pleaded guilty to trespassing and breaching bail when he appeared from custody via videolink in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

Kever had been granted bail on Thursday on condition he not go within 500 metres of Nerang Street, Southport.

Around 2pm on Sunday, the Haeduri Chicken Southport business manager was securing the front door damaged by Cyclone Alfred impacts.

Inside the Nerang Street restaurant, the manager spotted Kever in the dining area on the ground floor.

The court heard Kever started berating the manager, stating “this is Australian land” and “I own this place”.

The court heard that Kever was spotted inside Haeduri Chicken Southport by the restaurant’s business manager who was trying to secure the front door after Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Facebook

Fearing his safety, the manager called police and took a photo of Kever who was still inside.

When police attended an hour later, Kever had left but officers patroling later arrested him after they spotted him loitering outside.

The court heard Kever was on parole at the time.

Kever, representing himself, was heard talking several times when Magistrate Louisa Pink was speaking.

“Mr Kever, can I suggest to you that it's not in your best interest for you to be making suggestions that what I might do may be stupid,” she told him after reading his lengthy criminal history.

Kever clarified he was saying the previous charges sounded stupid.

In his submissions to court, Kever said he had been seeing his mental health liaison officer and was doing really well while on parole.

“[I’ve been] helping the community with my missus,” he said.

“We do a lot for the community.”

He said he was handed the restaurant keys to look after the property and secure it.

Kever told the court that he had been ‘helping the community with [his] missus’ and had been doing well while on parole. Picture: Facebook

“The doors ripped off in wild weather,” he said. “I’m trying to look after the community – I was taking branches off the street left right and centre so people can get through driving.”

Ms Pink said she found it difficult to accept he was given the keys, especially given the business manager had told police the front door was damaged by the weather and Kever didn’t need keys to be inside.

During Ms Pink’s sentencing, Kever attempted to speak again.

“If you interrupt me one more time, I’m standing the matter down!” she said.

Ms Pink took into account the two days Kever had spent in custody, his personal circumstances and early plea of guilty.

He was convicted and not further punished. The conviction was recorded.