Prison for stealing from tourist

A MAN who stole from two backpackers because one of them offended him will spend the next five months behind bars.

Joseph Kawane Kris, 25, of Walkervale, was staying at the Grand Backpackers, in Bourbong Street, on September 8, 2010, when he stole a passport, camera and bag from a woman traveller staying at the hostel.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Hayley Glover told Bundaberg Magistrates Court yesterday that Kris told officers he was walking past the woman’s room when he spotted the items.

“He said he later left the items where the manager could find them,” Snr Const. Glover said.

Two days later, Kris stole a laptop, charger and internet device from his roommate.

When approached by police, the defendant made full admissions and said he stole the items because his roommate had offended him.

The court also heard Kris had been staying at the home of a woman, who noticed her MP3 player had been stolen the following morning.

When confronted, he admitted to pawning it at Cash Converters for $15.

Kris pleaded guilty yesterday to two charges of stealing, one count of fraud, and one charge of entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence.

Defence lawyer Matt Messenger said Kris had been intermittently homeless and had no family support.

“Joseph is essentially drifting around living a hand-to-mouth existence,” Mr Messenger said.

“He has made full admissions and the small amount of money he gained from this activity he used to buy food.”

Magistrate Jennifer Batts noted Kris’s extensive history, his early plea, his co-operation and the fact most stolen items were recovered.

“It is a very unfortunate history where dishonesty

offences are concerned,” Ms Batts said.

Ms Batts sentenced him to 12 months’ jail on each charge, to be served concurrently.

He will be eligible for parole on May 21.