Paul David Brackley sentenced after attempt to steal from hospital
A Fraser Coast man’s bizarre plan to rob a private hospital came unstuck when he was spotted by a caretaker.
Police & Courts
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A man who planned to rob a hospital while donning a clown mask and a towel fled the scene without taking anything after he was spotted by a staff member.
Paul David Brackley, of Maryborough, entered St Stephen’s Hospital in Hervey Bay on October 7, 2024, intending to steal supplies.
He was busted when police found his fingerprints on a shopping trolley he used while inside the hospital.
Brackley faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday, where prosecutor Belam Selvadurai said he was spotted by an onsite caretaker while wearing a clown mask and a blue towel around his waist.
Witnesses saw Brackley load a shopping trolley and wheelbarrow with building materials, kitchen utensils, towels, pillows, and other items, but he left the scene without the trolley or wheelbarrow.
A forensic examination of the area was conducted, where fingerprints belonging to Brackley were found on the trolley, while CCTV matched two distinct tattoos.
He was also in court for stealing a torch from Bunnings Maryborough by placing it down his pants on August 15, 2024.
When arrested, Mr Selvadurai said Brackley was fully cooperative with police and stated he had no fixed address at the time of offending.
He pleaded guilty to one count each of entering premises to commit an indictable offence and stealing.
His lawyer Warren Hunter said Brackley was now off the streets and renting a room.
Magistrate John Milburn noted the offences were committed “not long after” orders of probation expired.
He was convicted and fined $1000 for the offences.
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