Trevor John Arthur: Bendigo man accused of stealing from Hotel Shamrock tourists

A promising former footballer accused of stealing from a Bendigo hotel claimed his fingerprints were at the crime scene because he had been “bird watching”.

The Hotel Shamrock, Pall Mall, Bendigo. Picture: Zizi Averill

A promising footballer accused of stealing from a Bendigo hotel claimed his fingerprints were at the crime scene because he had been “bird watching” from the second storey fire escape.

Trevor John Arthur appeared in Bendigo Magistrate’s Court last month over accusations he stole from tourists staying at the Hotel Shamrock in December.

The court heard Arthur was living in at the Old Crown Hotel, another Bendigo hotel, when the Pall Mall burglary happened.

Police prosecutors accused Arthur and a woman of breaking into the second floor Hotel Shamrock room using the fire escape at 1pm, December 11.

It was alleged the pair stole a set of house and car keys and more than $1800 of luxury items, including perfumes, shavers, a camera and shoes.

The occupants of the apartment returned home at 4pm, noticed the missing items and a Coca-Cola can allegedly left by intruders.

Police said they found Arthur’s fingerprints on the fire escape and his DNA on the soft drink can.

The court heard Arthur initially told police his fingerprints were on the fire escape because he was “bird watching”.

Prosecutors said the burglary was “unsettling” and an “insult to the privacy” of the tourists.

Police claimed the burglary happened while Arthur was out on bail, over an alleged shoplifting heist a month earlier.

Prosecutions alleged on October 10, Arthur harassed staff at Bunnings, Epsom to distract workers as three people stole tools.

They alleged Arthur started making trouble in the store, refusing to wear a mask and threatening and abusing staff.

When workers called 000, the unlicensed Arthur allegedly drove to Epsom McDonald’s car park.

The court heard officers stopped the group in the car park and claimed Arthur appeared drug affected, gave a false name and became upset when they asked to search the vehicle.

Police alleged they found stolen tools stolen still in their packaging in the car.

Officers claim Arthur was carrying a pocket knife and methamphetamines, and he used offensive and abusive language and spat at police cameras.

His lawyer Stephanie Gillahan said her client’s life was “characterised by extreme trauma and disadvantage”.

Ms Gillahan said Arthur was orphaned at 10, after his father committed suicide and his mother died of an asthma attack a short time later.

She said Arthur and his six siblings were “farmed out” to different homes, where he experienced abuse.

Ms Gillahan said despite this, Arthur was picked as a talented footballer, who played in Victorian and interstate matches.

But Ms Gillahan said at 28 he turned to drugs to self-medicate after his brother was killed in a motorcycle accident and his partner lost her baby during childbirth.

His lawyer said Arthur was dealing with his mental health and drug issues.

On Wednesday March 31, Magistrate Patrick Southey said if Arthur pleaded guilty he would face a total of four months in prison.

Arthur, who had already spent 17 days in custody, rejected the sentence indication.

He will reappear at Bendigo Magistrate’s Court on May 12.