Adrian Stephen Leonard charged with stealing bank card, withdrawing $8000

A magistrate has deemed an alleged thief too risky to release on bail over allegations he stole a bank card that he used to withdraw $8000 just months after his parole ended on unrelated charges.

Mackay Court House

A magistrate has deemed it too risky to release an alleged thief on bail after he was accused of breaking into a Mackay construction business and stealing a bank card he used to withdraw $8000.

Police further alleged Adrian Stephen Leonard stole a drone worth $2000 after breaking into Mass Construction Group at Dumbleton between March 20 and 23, 2025, barely two months after his parole on unrelated matters had ended.

The 40 year old faced Mackay Magistrates Court via videolink on nine charges including enter premises and commit indictable offence by break and six counts of fraud linked to a stolen bank card, as well as possessing drugs and used utensils in December 2024 and wilful damage in February 2025.

The court heard Mr Leonard allegedly used the bank card to withdraw $8000 over six withdrawals in less than 24 hours between 8.18am March 23 and 1.56am March 24.

Police allege Adrian Stephen Leonard broke into a Dumbleton business and stole a bank card that he used to withdraw $8000.

Prosecutor Matt Saunders opposed bail, submitting there was strong evidence against Mr Leonard.

No pleas have been entered at this stage.
Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Tahnee Wilkinson said it was accepted the alleged offending was serious, and “some of the offending there’s no means to contest”.

But Ms Wilkinson said her client would be “partially” contesting some allegations.

The court heard Mr Leonard was unemployed and awaiting surgery on his elbow to remove a screw after a scooter crash in 2024.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan highlighted the fact Mr Leonard’s parole for similar but unrelated offending had only ended about two months before he allegedly began offending again.

Ms Hartigan said there was an “extremely strong case against Mr Leonard” for the alleged break and enter and stealing offending in March that was captured on CCTV footage.

The court heard one of the stolen items was allegedly found in Mr Leonard’s room on his arrest as well as clothing seen on the CCTV footage.

The footage allegedly showed him as the person withdrawing money from the ATMs with the bank card taken from the business.

Ms Hartigan found it was an extremely strong case and Mr Leonard had a relevant criminal history with entries for stealing, forgery, uttering and fraud.

“In my view he’s an unacceptable risk of committing further offences,” Ms Hartigan said, rejecting Mr Leonard’s bail.

Matters were adjourned to April 30 for mention.

Originally published as Adrian Stephen Leonard charged with stealing bank card, withdrawing $8000