Zachary George Hayman pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to two counts of possessing tainted property

A 27-year-old man caught with stolen items reported missing from local businesses has told a court he found them at various dumps around the region.

A Roma man with no previous criminal history has landed in court after police busted him with stolen property reported missing from several businesses.

Zachary George Hayman, 27, pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to two counts of possessing tainted property, with the two stealing charges dropped after prosecution failed to provide evidence.

Police prosecutor Mathew Donnelly said on April 5 police intercepted a Toyota LandCruiser just after midnight, and that Hayman and his passenger were detained for the purpose of a search due to them being suspects in recent fires and copper thefts in the area.

Mr Donnelly said police located more than 100kg of copper cabling in the rear of the vehicle.

The next day on April 6, police executed a search warrant at Hayman’s address in Roma in relation to stolen property.

“Five brand new airconditioners wrapped in bubble wrap were seized,” Mr Donnelly said.

He said the defendant told police the airconditioning units and the copper seized from the vehicle had been collected from various dumps in the Maranoa area being Wallumbilla, Roma, Injune and Amby.

“Police made inquiries to the dumps and they stated they didn’t give the defendant cabling,” he said.

“Police inspected the demountable buildings at Diamantina Village, which showed a number of airconditioner units had been removed along with a significant amount of copper.

“Police seized the defendant’s mobile phone and it showed a photo of a map of the Diamantina Village and with roads highlighted on the map.

“Whilst the defendant has no previous before the court, he’s not a youthful offender, he’s 27 years of age.

“Your honour, this particular offending is serious because the value of copper wire is significant in the community and is gaining a lot of momentum with persons offending.

“I will not oppose a lengthy period of community service. He’s taken from businesses, he’s taken from the community and that would give him the opportunity to give something back into the community.”

Defence lawyer Laurie Parker said his client has no previous criminal history and has moved back to the Roma area to care for his sick mother.

“He had quite a good career initially with Woolworths, becoming a grocery manager and then moved Moranbah and over there did mining. He’s come back here to look after his sick mother.

Sitting at the bar table, Hayman said he would prefer to pay a hefty fine opposed to serving a community service or probation order.

Acting magistrate Michael Bice agreed and handed the defendant a $1000 fine referred to SPER. No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Zachary George Hayman pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to two counts of possessing tainted property