Neville Joseph Johnson sentenced for Gladstone stealing spree

A Central Queensland thief who targeted Bunnings, Big W, Coles and a servo got into a tense standoff with police where a negotiator was called in and an officer injured.

Neville Joseph Johnson, 49, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to charges including six counts of stealing. Generic image.

A recidivist Central Queensland thief was involved in an intense standoff with police which injured an officer, a court has heard.

Neville Joseph Johnson, 49, appeared in custody in Gladstone Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to charges including six counts of stealing, and one count each of receiving tainted property and serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm.

The court heard Johnson had a 19-page criminal history and police prosecutor Brandon Selic said he was a recidivist dishonesty offender.

It was told Johnson had previously been convicted of stealing in Mackay.

In relation to his latest stealing offences, the court heard Johnson targeted Gladstone businesses Big W, Coles, Bunnings and United Petroleum.

He also stole an e-scooter from Gladstone Hospital and a bike from Off Lane.

Some of these stealing offences happened while he was on parole for similar offending.

Mr Selic said the most serious of Johnson’s latest offences before the court was the serious assault of a police officer causing bodily harm.

The court heard it happened on April 1 when police attended Johnson’s home and he refused to come to the door or engage with them.

Police gave him multiple warnings to exit the residence.

After about four hours of trying to convince Johnson to come out, including using a police negotiator, officers forced entry to the residence.

The court heard Johnson barricaded himself inside a bedroom and police again had to use force to gain entry to that room.

When an officer tried to open the bedroom door to arrest Johnson, he used “the full force” of his weight to push up against the door.

That resulted in the officer’s left arm “being crushed” between the door and the door frame - he felt immediate pain and suffered swelling and bruising.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said when released from custody, Johnson, a father of one, planned to continue operating his takeaway food business.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Johnson to nine months’ jail, declared 36 days’ pre-sentence custody as time already served, and fixed parole eligibility for June 1, 2025.

No restitution order was made, and convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Neville Joseph Johnson sentenced for Gladstone stealing spree