Joshua Southgate caught trespassing at Calliope

When police received a report a man had been spotted in the yards of a Gladstone region neighbourhood, they quickly sprung into action, but it wasn’t long before he was in trouble with the law again - this time at Maryborough.

Joshua Peter Anthony Southgate was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

A man busted trespassing in a Central Queensland neighbourhood has also faced court on a drugs charge stemming from a stopover at Maryborough.

Joshua Peter Anthony Southgate, 36, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to trespass, possessing dangerous drugs and also restricted medicines.

Police prosecutor Jennifer Leach said about 4.30pm on January 31, highway patrol officers were called to attend a trespassing complaint at Calliope where it was reported a man was “walking through backyards.”

Ms Leach said police did foot patrols in and around residences and subsequently found Southgate at Calliope Bowls Club.

“During questioning (Southgate) told police that he was in a rear yard of the offence location but did not enter the dwelling - (he) could not provide a lawful reason for entering... and did not know the occupants,” Ms Leach said.

Southgate was arrested and later charged with trespass.

The court heard the other two offences happened in the Maryborough district.

About 10.30pm on February 17, Maryborough police were doing street patrols when their attention was drawn to a red Holden Calais.

They intercepted the vehicle in which Southgate was a passenger.

During a search, police found Southgate in possession of 0.3g of methamphetamine and eight Tramadol (opioid medicine) tablets.

The court heard Southgate had a seven-page criminal history which included previous trespass offending.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said Southgate used drugs “recreationally” and he was currently on a disability pension.

She said Southgate had entered the yard because it was a “shortcut” to where he was going.

In sentencing on March 4, Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Southgate $500 and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Joshua Southgate caught trespassing at Calliope