Cameron John Gesler and mates face Toowoomba Magistrates Court for two-night burglary spree of Wilsonton businesses

The 30-year-old and his associates wore masks, hoodies and gloves when breaking into Wilsonton businesses. See what the court with him.

A 30-year-old Toowoomba man who with mates broke into businesses on consecutive nights and stole equipment has been handed a jail term and probation order.

Cameron John Gesler was captured on CCTV with two associates all wearing masks, hoodies and gloves cutting through a fence to gain entry to a Wilsonton business about 2.50am, September 11, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told.

The trio were seen to lift a gate off its tracks, causing damage to the gate, police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb said.

Later, about 3am, the trio had broken into a nearby business in Greenwattle St by jimmying a door and stealing a number of tools and equipment including a welder, socket set and pop rivet gun, he said.

The next night the group returned to the same business and stole more tools.

Cameron John Gesler was sentenced to six months jail, wholly suspended for 12 months, after appearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on November 23, 2022.

Mr Brewster-Webb said police called to reports of trespassers at the Toowoomba City Aerodrome about 1am, September 12, found one of the associates sitting in a blue Holden Astra who told police two others were inside.

A police dog tracked Gesler through a fence and into a paddock were he was found hiding under a car, he said.

Some of the tools were found in Gesler’s car along with a mask, gloves and a set of pliers, he said.

Police investigations found the pop rivet gun and welder had been pawned at second hand dealerships across the city and CCTV footage from those stores showed Gesler pawning the items, the court heard.

Gesler pleaded guilty to a total 12 offences including burglary, wearing a face mask, trespassing, fraud and three counts of breaching bail.

Duty solicitor Bree Callanan told the court Gesler had significant mental health issues and was on a disability pension with an NDIS package.

Due to his disabilities her client was easily led and he had been asked by these associates to drive them and he had gone along with the offending, she said.

Gesler instructed he had nothing to do with those people anymore, Ms Callanan said.

Magistrate Clare Kelly noted Gesler had previous offences but nothing since 2019. He was sentenced to six months in jail, with the whole term be suspended for 12 months and he was placed on 12 months probation.

He was also ordered to pay $155 restitution.