Leonardo Capper caused ‘complete and utter havoc’ in Ayr

A teen involved in causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage during a crime spree has been told he must work hard to regain trust.

A teen has been told he must regain his community’s trust.

A teen involved in causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage during a crime spree of “complete and utter havoc” as a cyclone threatened has been told he will need to work hard to regain his community’s trust.

Leonardo Glenn Capper, 18, was one of about four people who caused around $300,000 worth of damage as they stole cars which they used to “ ramraid property after property after property” in Ayr south of Townsville in January 2024.

“I do not know whether you all thought that you were gangsters or what, but in the space of two days, three days at the most, at a time when there is a cyclone around as well, you and those with you created complete and utter havoc in and around your home town,” Judge Ian Dearden said.

“You have literally behaved absolutely appallingly in your own small home town … I cannot think of anything that would make other people in the community angrier than your involvement in this offending.

“You had obviously made the extraordinarily stupid decision to start using methylamphetamine … which just means you are off your face and doing really, really stupid things.”

Leonardo Glenn Capper caused about $300,000 worth of damage at the same time as a cyclone hit North Queensland in January 2024. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The court heard one company alone suffered about $75,000 worth of damage.

Capper, who had no prior criminal history, pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawfully using a motor vehicle to facilitate the commission of an indictable offence in the night in company with property damage, 10 counts of breaking and entering premises and stealing, two counts of entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, and one count each of breaking and entering premises and wilful damage, burglary by breaking in the night in company with property damage and arson.

Judge Dearden said Capper had strong support from a family who loved him as well as community members including a pastor who provided positive character references.

“They have demonstrated extraordinary love for you, make sure you do not disappoint them. Do not come back,” Judge Dearden said in his sentence published this week.

He took into account Capper’s young age, the 10 months he spent in custody and the “good work” he did there.

Capper was sentenced to three years jail with immediate parole not taking into account the presentence custody.

“You will have to work very hard to regain the trust of your local community in town,” Judge Dearden said.

Originally published as Leonardo Capper caused ‘complete and utter havoc’ in Ayr