Gympie Show volunteer escorted into court after failing to appear twice

The 22-year-old father of two fronted the court on charges of failing to appear, but also has a string of summary offences including drug trafficking.

The 22-year-old father of two fronted the court on charges of failing to appear, but also has a string of summary offences including drug trafficking.​

It was third time lucky for Gympie Magistrates court on Wednesday, when a 22-year-old man entered the court to be sentenced for failing to appear, after he failed to appear for an earlier court date.

Zachary Kees Van Steenis was collected straight from his Southside home, before being escorted into the court by a police officer, where he pleaded guilty to failing to appear, twice.

The court heard Van Steenis failed to appear on March 15, 2021, for an offence from October 27, 2020, and on May 17, 2021 for an offence from April 16, 2021.

Police prosecutor Michael Phillips said Van Steenis missed his first appearance because he did not receive a text message reminder.

“He alluded to the fact he changed phone numbers and hadn’t advised the court,” he said.

Van Steenis was released on bail shortly after, the court heard.

Sgt Phillips also said Van Steenis’ most recent appearance was set to be Monday, but after locating him on Wednesday morning, he said he had forgotten because he had been volunteering at the Gympie Show.

Mr Fowler told the court Van Steenis was also two months into a suspended sentence when he first failed to appear.

“Your history is becoming a little bit like a snowball,” he said to Van Steenis in reference to his failures to appear.

“Eventually, when it does hit something it’s going to end particularly ugly, as opposed to dealing with matters as we just went along.”

He also said Van Steenis had a string of summary offences including cannabis trafficking, which are shared with his partner.

The matter of these summary offences were adjourned to June 28.

Van Steenis was sentenced to 14 days behind bars, suspended for eight months.

Originally published as Gympie Show volunteer escorted into court after failing to appear twice