Steve John Whiteoak in court for theft, fraud

A mature-age student teacher stole from the woman who’d just given him a lift to the train station, but was soon caught out.

Steven John Whiteoak leaves Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on September 21, 2023.

A Hervey Bay man who stole a bank card from a woman who had given him a lift to the nearby train station has been sentenced.

Steven John Whiteoak, 47, pleaded guilty to three charges including stealing, fraud and failing to appear when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The court heard on July 12, 2o23, Whiteoak stole a debit card from a woman who had driven him to Gympie North train station where he was planning to travel back to Hervey Bay.

Whiteoak then attempted to use the card to buy a train ticket, but the station attendant refused to put the payment through after noticing the victim’s name on it.

Mother and ex-partner in court for child exploitation

The victim noticed her card was missing and contacted police who subsequently arrested Whiteoak at the train station.

The debit card was recovered and returned to the victim.

Amber Ray Hollis in court for setting fire to wrecking yard

Whiteoak’s duty lawyer said he was “very remorseful” for his crime which he only committed because he had no money to buy a ticket.

His only income was the $350 per week he received from Austudy for studying to be a teacher.

He was fined $700 for failing to appear and $650 for stealing and fraud with the debt forwarded to SPER for collection.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Steve John Whiteoak in court for theft, fraud