Former Gold Coast restaurant owner Nick Ong pleads guilty to breaking into family’s home

A former restaurant owner was a dinner guest at a home he would then target hours later in a home invasion, trying to steal something specific. Find out what it was

A former Gold Coast restaurant owner broke into a family’s home and assaulted an 18-year-old woman inside in an attempt to steal a document showing he owed $35,000.

Nick Ong – the owner of a now-closed restaurant franchise in Surfers Paradise – was wearing full motorcycle leathers and a helmet with the visor down when he entered the family’s Varsity Lakes home through an unlocked door in the early hours of December 3, 2021.

Southport District Court was told Ong knew the family and had months earlier borrowed $75,000 from the father, signing a loan agreement to repay it plus interest.

The 46-year-old still owed $35,000 at the time of the burglary and had been a dinner guest at the home only hours earlier, it was heard.

Nick Ong. Photo by Richard Gosling

Crown prosecutor Caitlin Usher said the 18-year-old occupant stirred upon hearing the door open and seeing a light in the hallway, prompting Ong to barge into her bedroom and push her to the floor.

Ms Usher said Ong told the woman to be quiet when she screamed and covered her mouth with his hand as they struggled, with his glove scratching her upper lip.

The commotion woke the woman’s mother, who ran to their neighbours for help.

Still resisting Ong as he pushed her towards the laundry, the teenager grabbed the door frame to try and pry herself free before her assailant eventually fled. Ong stole the woman’s phone from the laundry on his way out.

Ms Usher said targeting the home was premeditated and planned, with Ong changing vehicles at The Star casino carpark on his way to the home and moving a wheelie bin on their street before entering in an attempt to disguise his true intentions in being there.

Parts of the young woman’s victim impact statement were read to the court, describing her harrowing experience and its ongoing effects on her daily life almost three years later.

“She describes in that statement the terror that she felt when (Ong) entered her room … that she now locks her bedroom door each night and continues to experience memories of that evening hitting her randomly when she’s out in public,” Ms Usher said.

Nick Ong leaving the Southport courthouse in 2023. Picture: Jessica Paul

The court was told Ong’s criminal history was minor and dated, and that he spent about two months in custody before being granted bail.

Defence barrister Tony Kimmins said his client had changed his life since being released, and that it was clear from his conduct that he only intended to get the document and leave.

Several references speaking to Ong’s good character and certificates in recognition of his volunteer work with a homelessness organisation were submitted during his sentencing.

Judge Jodie Wooldridge said she accepted Ong was remorseful and that he had worked to save $10,000 to offer as compensation to his victim.

Ong pleaded guilty to enter dwelling with intent by break at night, assault occasioning bodily harm, and stealing.

He was sentenced to two years’ jail, suspended for four years after the 60 days he had already served in custody, and ordered to pay compensation.