Former Qld cafe owner Aaron Jessie Piper causes $12k damage to rental home

A former Queensland cafe owner has faced court after he smashed up a rental property, causing more than $12,000 worth of damage, in a drug and alcohol-fuelled crime spree.

Aaron Jessie Piper faced Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 29.

A former cafe owner found himself behind bars in Central Queensland after a drug and alcohol-fuelled crime spree saw him rack up a string of charges.

Aaron Jessie Piper, 32, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 29 where he pleaded guilty to 20 offences including wilful damage, common assault (domestic violence offence), producing and possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of drug-driving, and three counts of stealing.

The court heard the wilful damage offending related to Piper causing more than $12,000 worth of damage to a rental property by smashing numerous internal walls and doors.

The court was told the damage was “extensive” and the landlord had subsequently received $12,000 from his insurance company but he was still left “out of pocket”.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said the common assault (domestic violence) offence involved Piper deliberately spitting in the female victim’s face a number of times, before punching her in the head.

The stealing offences related to Piper taking and keeping three people’s driver’s licences during his time working at a bar at Gladstone, the court heard.

Gladstone Court House. Courthouse.

The prosecution said Piper was also caught with two cannabis plants and he was busted driving with meth and cannabis in his system.

The court was told that Piper, a former cafe owner at Toowoomba, had a two-page criminal history and a one-page traffic history.

Solicitor Rio Ramos said Piper’s criminal and traffic histories were “very limited” but she conceded these offences were committed while Piper was on probation.

Ms Ramos said Piper was born in Chinchilla, grew up in Dalby, and was employed as a cafe manager at Toowoomba before becoming its owner and later selling the business.

Ms Ramos said Piper experienced personal tragedy when his previous partner died, which led him to alcohol and drugs.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted that Piper had spent 41 days in pre-sentence custody and she sentenced him to six months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of 18 months.

She also fined him $2000 and disqualified him from driving for three months.

Further, Piper was placed on probation for 18 months.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Former Qld cafe owner Aaron Jessie Piper causes $12k damage to rental home