Jarred James Burns fronts Mackay Magistrates Court after Facebook fraud

A Qld man audaciously listed a $4000 item on Facebook he never owned, and fleeced a stranger after offering it to them at a discount.

Jarred James Burns, 33, was on probation when he defrauded a Facebook user of $2000 trying to flog a tipper that belonged to someone else. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A Mackay father of two fleeced a stranger of thousands after listing a tipper he didn’t own on Facebook Marketplace.

Jarred James Burns, 33, made the listing for $4000 on July 15, 2024 but settled for $2000 from his victim on July 24, 2024.

Police prosecutor Leonie Taufa’ao told Mackay Magistrates Court the victim discovered it belonged to someone else when he arrived to pick it up.

She said the actual owner had placed a barrier around the tipper and told the victim other people had come by asking about it.

Separately, Burns admitted to receiving stolen property after selling copper piping back to the business it was taken from that same day.

Police have not alleged he stole the piping, but that he made $446 from the sale on September 24, 2024.

Burn’s partner wrote a reference on his behalf and said he was trying to provide for his family. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Burns pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud, one count of receiving tainted property, breach of bail, and contravention of a probation order.

Defence solicitor Daniel Lane said Burns had two children and his wife wrote a reference on his behalf.

“The tide of my client’s offending, long swelling, now threatens to engulf him,” Mr Lane said.

Mr Lane advocated for a parole release date of June 26, 2025.

Acting magistrate Nigel Rees said Burns was riding on his wife’s “coat-tails” as he read her reference.

“She does say he only means well and is trying to provide for his family,” Mr Rees said.

“How do you think you’re going to provide for your family inside?

“You won’t.”

Burns was given a 15 month suspended jail term and ordered to pay a total of $2446 restitution. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Burns was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment wholly suspended for his offences and breach of a probation order for similar offences.

He was ordered to pay $2000 in restitution to the victim of his marketplace scam and $446 restitution for the copper pipe fraud.

“You don’t take advantage of other people, what sort of example do you think you’re setting for your children,” Mr Rees said.

“This is a crossroads in your life … you’ve got 15 months imprisonment over your head.”

Convictions were recorded, and a parole release was set for June 26, 2025.

Originally published as Jarred James Burns fronts Mackay Magistrates Court after Facebook fraud