Counterfeit cash: Gary Peter Bowen sentenced for 18 charges including multiple fraud offences

As a truck driver’s life unravelled in the grip of meth abuse, he targeted a number of Central Queensland businesses armed with counterfeit cash during his crime spree.

A former truck driver who battled meth abuse while working in the industry, targeted numerous Central Queensland businesses armed with fake $50 notes.

Gary Peter Bowen, 45, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on August 4, to 18 charges including multiple fraud offences.

The court heard that several of the charges involved Bowen making purchases using counterfeit $50 notes, dating back to 2018.

He also had numerous fail to appear in court charges.

During his crime spree, Bowen also shoplifted twice, and used a shopper’s lost debit card to make a series of fraudulent purchases.

In relation to the failing to appear charges, police prosecutor Sergeant Darrell Dalton said Bowen told police he had returned to Victoria because his mother was ill and notifying the courts had “slipped his mind”.

“...he’s only recently returned to Yeppoon,” Sgt Dalton said.

Gary Peter Bowen.

The prosecutor said that on October 16, 2018, police received “a large number of complaints” about counterfeit $50 notes being produced to stores.

“These notes had no serial number and had Chinese writing on them,” Sgt Dalton said.

Sgt Dalton said police viewed CCTV footage from a local business which showed Bowen presenting a fake $50 note.

Police spoke with Bowen on October 16, 2018, and during a record of interview he made admissions.

“Seems he was forthright with police - he stated that he had two or three more ($50 notes) at home,” Sgt Dalton said.

Bowen gave those to police.

A counterfeit $50 note. (Photo: Queensland Police Service)

The court heard that Bowen also used fake $50 notes to make purchases on other days in October, 2018.

Further, it was told that Bowen had shoplifted from a Coles Supermarket at Yeppoon, placing $65 worth of meat into a recycling bag and leaving the store without paying.

That incident was captured on CCTV footage.

The next day, Bowen attended the store again and shoplifted $50 worth of groceries.

On another occasion, a co-defendant found someone’s lost debit card at Yeppoon’s Keppel Bay Plaza.

Sgt Dalton said the co-defendant used the card fraudulently before handing it to Bowen.

Bowen then used the debit card to make a number of purchases at a supermarket, smoke shop and liquor store totalling $230.78.

The court heard that Bowen had no Queensland criminal history prior to this offending, but he did have a dated interstate history.

Gary Peter Bowen.

Solicitor Ashley Reynolds said around the time of the offences Bowen was homeless.

Ms Reynolds said Bowen had previously been employed as a truck driver but when he lost his licence he lost that job.

“He tells me that that job also exposed him to methamphetamine use,” Ms Reynolds said.

The solicitor said Bowen’s meth use increased and he found himself struggling to make ends meet.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale told Bowen that meth was “never the answer”.

She fined Bowen $150, placed him on probation for 12 months, made a restitution order, and ordered forfeiture of the counterfeit money.

During sentencing, Bowen became visibly and emotionally upset and said he wanted to get back to the mines to work.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Counterfeit cash: Gary Peter Bowen sentenced for 18 charges including multiple fraud offences