Teen 'chroming' before stealing
A HERVEY Bay teenager who was 'chroming' before he stole a $300 fishing reel has been ordered to pay for the item.
Joshua Dodd, 17, was seen acting suspiciously at Fisherman's Corner in Pialba on March 4 shortly before he stole a Quantum Tour Edition fishing reel.
Staff members chased Dodd down the street as he took off on his scooter and began calling out threats that he would return in the company of his brother.
When CCTV footage was retrieved and police were called, the officers recognised Dodd as they had recently dealt with him on other matters.
Dodd was brought before Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on charges of stealing and failing to attend a drug diversion seminar.
Defence barrister Sarah Laikind said Dodd had been "chroming" (inhaling fumes) on the day in question and could barely remember stealing the fishing reel, which was never recovered.
It was noted that Dodd had a significant criminal history for someone so young.
"Seventeen years of age," Magistrate Graeme Tatnell said.
"He doesn't even turn 18 until May (and he's got) two pages of history."
He then addressed the teenager.
"Why would you do something so stupid as the stealing charge? To try to get some money or something?
"Well you're not smart enough, are you?"
Mr Tatnell said he was prepared to place Dodd on community service.
"Are you going to perform the unpaid community service?" he asked Dodd.
"Or are you going to treat it as you've treated everything else to date and take no notice of it?"
Dodd was ordered to pay $250 to the court for failing to attend drug diversion.
He was fined $450 and ordered to pay $299 for the reel.
Dodd was further ordered to perform 60 hours of unpaid community service work.
Magistrate Graeme Tatnell told Dodd to go out and get a job so he could pay off his fines.
