Fisherman Clint Gibson pleads guilty to stealing Townsville eagle war monument

A Sunshine Coast fisherman on a drug bender says he can’t remember stealing a WWII monument valued at $95,000 from Townsville’s Jezzine Barracks.

A Maroochydore fisherman said he was off his head on drugs after he damaged a war memorial and stole an “irreplaceable” statue worth $95,000.

Clint Husheer Gibson will however pay no restitution after he disrespected “fallen serviceman” in the North Queensland community on Christmas Day almost two years ago by taking and desecrating the revered monument.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard the bizarre military heist was part of his 10 charges he pleaded guilty to on Tuesday which included wilful damage to a monument, driving under the influence and stealing property of value exceeding $5000.

Gibson accepted his involvement where he damaged a war monument at Jezzine Barracks’ Kissing Point in the Townsville suburb of North Ward on December 25, 2022.

The court heard he was “off [his] head on drugs” when he stole the 20cm tall silver eagle with a 23cm wingspan from atop the United States 5th Air Force Memorial. He caused significant damage in the process.

The monument at Kissing Point which was stolen on Christmas Day, 2022.

Clint Husheer Gibson admitted to stealing it. Picture: Facebook

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said the Maroochydore man destroyed the monument to remove the eagle statue which was on top of a large stone plinth with inscriptions.

The court heard the statue was a gift to Townsville from the United States Government for fallen servicemen of the war.

Police prosecutor Tara Miles said the Townsville City Council was after restitution of $95,000 and said the statue was considered irreplaceable, however more damages were needed for the rest of the monument.

The monument was never recovered.

Gibson also admitted to possessing meth, cannabis, driving while disqualified as admitted to police he drove a car on MDMA on the Sunshine Coast.

Senior Constable Miles said Gibson had spent almost five months in custody after his arrest on March 13.

The court heard the eagle statue was valued at $95,000.

Defence lawyer Jamiee Burns tendered the 37-year-old commercial fisherman’s apology letter to the court which retold his struggles with drugs and alcohol that were the roots of his offending.

Ms Burns said Gibson acknowledged the monument heist was a “highly sensitive” matter however was so intoxicated he couldn’t remember what happened or knew of its significance.

“I noticed he said he didn’t know it was a monument, you wouldn’t need to be a genius to work that out ... what else would it be,” asked Mr McLaughlin.

Police released footage of the incident trying to find Gibson.

Gibson is a commercial fisherman. Picture: Facebook

Gibson’s lawyer said the 37-year-old was “disgusted” and ashamed with himself as his grandfather actually served in World War II.

The Maroochydore magistrate said people were “pretty disgusted” by those who “disrespect” others who gave their lives to make Australia a free country, which is what the monument was for.

Mr McLaughlin however ordered there be no restitution and stated the cost of $95,000 was “quite an artificial and arbitrary figure” as he had no evidence of how this was determined. He said it was not the purchase price either because it was a gift which had more “intrinsic value”.

“It appears to be a cast iron statue of a bird about 30cm tall on a wooden pole, how that can be worth $95,000 is beyond my comprehension,” the magistrate said.

Gibson was sentenced to 14 months’ jail and disqualified from driving for three years. His 140 days in custody was declared as time served.

His parole release date was set for Tuesday.

Originally published as Fisherman Clint Gibson pleads guilty to stealing Townsville eagle war monument