Michael Rodney Stark pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two charges in Gladstone Magistrates Court
A dodgy deal involving bales of hay for sale on Facebook marketplace landed a Gladstone man in a local court on Tuesday. Find out what sentence he copped here:
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A man’s farmyard crime landed him in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Michael Rodney Stark advertised bales of hay on Facebook Marketplace and lured in his victim, before receiving a cash deposit then deleting the listing.
Stark, 46, pleaded guilty to fraud and contravening direction or requirement of police.
Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd detailed Stark’s offending, which commenced on or about October 8, 2019, to the court.
A court heard Stark advertised a quantity of hay bales for sale through Facebook marketplace and the complainant registered her interest.
“During this exchange of messages the complainant told the defendant she wanted two hay bales and the defendant told her that it would cost $280 and he could secure the bales with $80 deposit,” Mr Boyd said.
“The defendant provided the complainant his own bank account details which including a BSB and account number.”
On October 8 the complainant transferred $280 to the defendant’s bank account, however, he said there had been an issue in sourcing bales of hay and he was unable to provide them.
In the following days the complainant contacted the defendant a number of times trying to set up a refund, however, she was unsuccessful in reaching him.
On November 11 police located Stark and questioned him in relation to the matter. He said he had purchased an excess of hay bales and was selling them through Facebook.
Stark said he did not recall the complainant’s purchase, however, was aware one delivery of bales he never received due to logistic issues.
Stark told police he had to complete a number of refunds in relation to other transactions and that he must have forgotten to complete the complainant’s transaction.
He was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court as a result.
Magistrate Bevan Manthey convicted and placed Stark on a 12 month good behaviour bond with an $800 recognisance. A conviction was recorded.
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Originally published as Michael Rodney Stark pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two charges in Gladstone Magistrates Court
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