Meth user Riley James Cox accused of being in stolen vehicle

The teenager was already on bail for 20-odd charges and had meth on him when he was arrested.

Riley James Cox, 19, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 17 after being charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing drugs and breaching bail.

A young man, on bail for 20-odd charges, who was allegedly captured on CCTV in a stolen car claims he thought it belonged to his mate’s mother.

The 19 year old also had two grams of methamphetamines on him at the time – January 13 – and had failed to report as part of his bail conditions.

Riley James Cox, 19, made a bail application in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on January 17 after being charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possessing drugs and breaching bail.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said the allegations for which he was already on bail involved breaking into utes and stealing expensive tools, or alternatively receiving stolen tools, and hocking them at local pawn shops.

He said the alleged offending would have left victims out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars.

It will be alleged Mr Cox also either broke into the Rockhampton Cricket Association premises on Mason Street, or received tools stolen from that location.

The alleged offending started about August 21, 2022.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said Mr Cox claimed he wasn’t aware the car was stolen until members of the public chased after him.

“He instructs he thought it was his mate’s mom’s vehicle,” she said.

Ms Legrady told the court if Mr Cox was granted bail, he would this time reside with his grandparents.

Ms Legrady said Mr Cox said he had been hanging out with the “wrong people” and planned to “get clean” and get a job.

Ms Legrady said Mr Cox had been placed on a 12-month probation order, community service order and good behaviour bond by the courts in June and July last year which this alleged offending would breach.

Magistrate Grace Kahlert granted Mr Cox bail and adjourned his fresh charges to January 27.

Originally published as Meth user Riley James Cox accused of being in stolen vehicle