May 2, 2013
A former South Burnett Regional Council employee pleaded guilty in Kingaroy Magistrates Court today to receiving tainted property after a water tank belonging to the council was found in his back yard.
Lee Andrew Black told the court he had purchased the tank from a man wearing a high-vis shirt – whom he thought was a council worker – for $50.
He had wanted to use the 500 litre tank for his chook shed.
Police received a tip-off that the tank, which had faded Kingaroy Shire Council identification on it, was in Black’s yard.
It had gone missing from a council depot at sometime between December 21, 2012, and January 18 this year.
Police obtained a search warrant and located the tank, which was valued at $1200 when it was new.
Solicitor Mr Mark Werner, for Black, said his client had worked for council for 5 1/2 years but had resigned after being charged.
He said Black had been approached by a man called “Ash” with the tank for sale after he had broadcast around his work that he was looking for a secondhand tank.
Mr Werner said Black was not suspicious about the “Kingaroy Shire Council” mark as he was aware that Council often auctions its old equipment.
Magistrate John Hodgins said Black had been building a career at council which had been blown because of this incident.
He said Black had no history of dishonesty and this appeared to be an error of judgement.
“But if it’s too good to be true, it isn’t true,” he said.
Black was fined $600. No conviction was recorded.
Police Prosecutor Sgt Wayne Bushell offered no evidence on a charge of theft, and this charge was struck out.
