No festive spirit around here

Russel Guse | 5th February 2010

TWO young men have shown they weren’t thinking about goodwill to all men over the festive period.

Biloela man Laurie London has to shell out $4000 for jumping on and damaging a car on December 28.

In Biloela Magistrates Court recently, 22-year-old London pleaded guilty to a wilful damage offence.

Police prosecutor acting Sergeant Sean Franklin said police were called to an incident in Callide Street where an intoxicated London was being restrained by a man near a damaged landcruiser, parked in the street.

He told the officers London had just jumped on his car, all over the roof, windscreen and bonnet, causing $3158 in damage.

London said he was drunk and had just had an argument with his girlfriend.

Magistrate Mark Morrow ordered London to pay the restitution as well as a $900 fine but ordered no conviction be recorded.

Goovigen teen Ryan Kames Engel pleaded guilty to breaking into the Goovigen tennis club and stealing money and drinks on the day many were putting up Christmas lights and trees, December 1, but showed he wasn’t in the caring festive spirit.

Acting Sergeant Franklin said the 17-year-old and another juvenile accomplice broke into the club by forcing open a large roller door.

The pair grabbed seven cans of Bundy rum and left, drinking some as they returned home.

But the pair weren’t done and returned to the club.

Engel left his younger thief to keep watch while he grabbed $170 from the club’s funds.

Police quickly investigated the matter and when they came knocking the next day, Engel confessed.

Magistrate Morrow fined the teen $500, but showed some goodwill of his own ordering no conviction.