Brian Leslie John Smith in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on 57 charges

When a 45-year-old Bundaberg man sought help from the Monto Neighbourhood Centre, they offered it to him. What he did next will shock you, but that is just a fraction of the 57 crimes he committed against 17 victims.

Brian Leslie John Smith’s actions were labelled ‘disgusting’ when his case was heard in Bundaberg Magistrates Court.

Police prosecutor Dean Burgess told the court that Smith had a long history of offending and had so far failed to learn his lesson.

“The defendant has shown absolutely no regard for any of the victims here today,” Sergeant Burgess said.

Smith appeared in custody by video link twice earlier in May where details of his violent and fraudulent activity against his many victims were revealed.

Sgt Burgess described his offending as a “crime spree” and told the court it had been carried out over a period of time.

One of the offences involved an incidence of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offence) where he threatened to shoot a woman.

“This is an appalling act of domestic violence where not only did he punch the victim a number of times, but he’s threatened to shoot the victim,” Sgt Burgess said.

The prosecutor also told the court Smith was alleged to have dragged her by her hair.

He further stated that Smith had shown a “complete disregard for the court” by continually failing to appear in court when directed.

This necessitated the need for an arrest warrant and when police caught up with Smith to take him into custody, he obstructed and assaulted police and damaged a pair of eyeglasses.

Sgt Burgess said Smith’s worst offending involved burglaries where he stole from schools, a university and a university medical centre.

“It's disgusting that someone would go in and steal from people who are trying to make the community a better place,” he said.

“In one instance, the teachers had their children's homework in their bag, these kids are now affected because of his offending.”

Sgt Burgess said Smith had a “complete disregard for others” and would “take anything that wasn’t locked down”.

“These people, they're innocent victims,” he said.

Smith’s lawyer, Ian Kendrick, told the court his 45-year-old client was a proud indigenous man who had cared for his previous partner but had fallen into a habit of “tragic and sad drug use”.

Bundaberg Court House.

Magistrate Edwina Rowan noted that most of Smith’s offences were ones of dishonesty.

It was heard that the 57 charges related to the time period between October 8, 2021 and March 22, 2022 and were against 17 separate victims.

“You preyed on people who were attending their place of work and while they were there trusted their personal belongings would be safe,” Ms Rowan said.

“What is particularly concerning is that the Monto Neighbourhood Centre had indicated to you that they were prepared to provide some assistance to you, but asked you to wait.

“Instead you took the corporate card, you went on what apparently can be described as a spending spree and you spent their valuable resources at places such as Mitre 10 and (a) tyre centre, you bought fuel, clothing and food and you went to the newsagent.”

Ms Rowan said the neighbourhood centre was an innocent victim and that the funds would have been used for people in need and even to help Smith himself.

The magistrate labelled his actions as dishonest and callous, as unsophisticated but persistent.

On several occasions throughout his offending, the court heard that Smith had been seen committing his offences on CCTV.

Ms Rowan expressed the seriousness of stealing a bag with children’s homework in it because it would have affected the children’s confidence and trust in school.

She noted that in the domestic violence offence, Smith had punched the victim in the face three times, had thrown a cup and threatened to shoot her with a gun when she protested to him leaving in her car.

Ms Rowan said that to his credit, Smith had made some admissions and had entered an early guilty plea.

The court heard some of Smith’s fraudulent spending had been on scratchie tickets and attempts to hire a vehicle.

“It's fair to say your history paints a picture of someone who is a prolific offender,” she said.

“It seems the only way to stop your offending is to imprison you because nothing else has deterred you.”

Smith pleaded guilty to a list of 57 charges, which included five counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence, one count of enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, two counts of unlawful possession of a motor vehicle, one count of attempted fraud, 33 counts of fraud, four counts of stealing, one count of enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, four counts of failing to appear, one count of assaulting a police officer, two counts of obstructing a police officer, one count of possessing a dangerous drug, one count of wilful damage, and one count of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offence).

He was sentenced to two years’ prison with time served from March 22, 2022 until April 22, 2022.

Smith will be eligible for parole from November 22, 2022.

He was ordered to pay a total of $6335.28 restitution to his numerous victims, referred to SPER.

Originally published as Brian Leslie John Smith in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on 57 charges