Francis Alexander Ross pleads guilty to damaging Caloundra toilet block, stealing booze

After a $2500 DIY demo of a public toilet block, this Sunshine Coast man defied a ban from the party precinct and caused more trouble, eventually ending up with 14 charges.

Francis Alexander Ross faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court by video from jail last month during his sentencing hearing. Picture: Facebook

A Caloundra man has been released onto parole on Anzac Day after admitting to a slew of crimes including causing $2500 in damages to a toilet block.

The bizarre instance of wilful damage was heard in Maroochydore Magistrates Court last month after Francis Alexander Ross pleaded guilty to 14 charges which included three counts of entering a premises to commit an indictable offences, two of obstructing police and one of wilful damage.

Police prosecutor Pedau Grabbe listed the 23-year-old’s list of crimes which began in December of last year.

Senior Constable Grabbe Ross entered a Caloundra toilet block before he was seen on closed circuit television leaving with a hammer.

She said he caused thousands of dollars in damages to the facility.

The court heard the 23-year-old also contravened a banning notice relating to him located at safe night precinct, stole $59.87 of a punter’s winnings on the pokies and pilfered booze from Dan Murphy’s.

The court heard Ross caused damage to a Caloundra toilet block. Pictured is a generic toilet block.

She said Ross also obstructed police on an occasion while also being found with a two-finger knuckle duster with spikes.

The Caloundra man was arrested on January 22 and spent 67 days leading up to his sentence in early April, where he faced court by video from jail.

Senior Constable Grabbe said police were after $2500 in damages to the toilet block and for the pokies winnings being stolen.

Defence solicitor Laura Nightingale said her client suffered from mental health conditions and “spiralled” further into alcohol and drug use during his offending.

Ms Nightingale said she was instructed Ross would steal alcohol from the bottle shop to drink but also to sell the more expensive bottles to fund buying drugs. She said he was still youthful and could still be rehabilitated.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist plainly told Ross he needed to “get a grip” and address his issues once he was released from custody. Ross was jailed for nine months, but was released on parole on April 25 this year. He was also fined $800. No restitution was ordered.

“Which is Anzac Day, go and respect the Diggers,” Mr Stjernqvist said.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Ross replied.

Originally published as Francis Alexander Ross pleads guilty to damaging Caloundra toilet block, stealing booze