Jesse Levi Davidson stole a ute in Gladstone before telling police he found it on a walk
Davidson told police he was on a long walk at the time when he happened to find the stolen ute.
Police & Courts
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A man told police he did not steal a car from a local dealership, but found it on a 33-kilometre walk from Gladstone to Mount Larcom, a court heard.
Jesse Levi Davidson, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving without a driver‘s licence, trespass and wilful damage.
Prosecutor Carl Spargo outlined Davidson’s offending, the worst of which occurred on May 14, 2021.
On that day Reef City Motors in Callemondah purchased a grey Nissan Navara by way of trade in.
The vehicle registration was transferred to the business and it was then parked in a secured compound.
On July 24, around 1am, Davidson entered the locked compound, started the car and left the compound by driving the car through a section of fencing.
Around 8am staff attended and identified the hole in the fence and the vehicle to be missing.
The business’ general manager reviewed CCTV and saw Davidson walking in the secured area and then the stolen vehicle driving around the facility looking for an exit.
On June 25, police received information the stolen car was involved in a fuel drive off at Mount Larcom around 11pm the night before.
Around 3pm on June 25, police located Davidson in a car park where he was arrested and transported to the Gladstone police station.
Davidson told police he did not steal the car, rather walked from Gladstone to the north side of Mount Larcom and found the car on the side of the road and started it.
He also acknowledged the fact he walked 33 kilometres to get to Mount Larcom, with police believing Davidson was lying.
Davidson then decided to show police the location of the vehicle, with police driving him to an abandoned house on Barry Street, Gladstone where they have located the stolen vehicle.
Mr Spargo said Davidson had a flagrant disregard to orders of the court, given he was on parole for property offences at the time, and continued to commit offences.
Magistrate Bevan Manthey convicted and sentenced Davidson to 18 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years. Convictions were recorded.
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Originally published as Jesse Levi Davidson stole a ute in Gladstone before telling police he found it on a walk
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