Lucky break on bail application | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast

THE LAST time Rodney Thomas Hills went before the courts he had a tough time getting bail from Magistrate Graeme Tatnell.

Mr Tatnell said Hills’ history wasn’t impressive and his attitude needed work, before he reluctantly granted strict conditional bail back in November.

This came after Hills abused the magistrate for not granting him bail on a previous occasion.

So when Hills, 41, was this week charged with breaching his bail, he was no doubt worried he would be kept behind bars.

But luck was on Hills’ side when he fronted the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court, because acting magistrate Dennis Beutel knew nothing of the previous exchange.

Mr Beutel fined Hills $350 and released him.

Hills was previously granted bail on the condition he would not consume any alcohol or drugs and would submit to random breath, blood and urine testing by police.

But on March 9 this year, police attended a Scarness hotel where they found him sitting at a table, beer in hand.

He blew .068 in a breath test.

Prosecutor Sergeant Kath Stagoll said Hills had not made a habit of breaching his bail and therefore should only receive a fine.

Mr Beutel told Hills to tread carefully.

“You have to realise that but for those conditions, you might not have been granted bail at all,” he said.

Hills will face the Hervey Bay District Court for burglary offences.