Ex-cop jailed for string of offences

A FORMER Toowoomba police officer who developed drug and alcohol addictions while on the beat has been jailed for burglaries amounting to $14,800.

Warren Gustav Muller told police he and associates had committed the burglaries, most of which were of his own family’s Ravensbourne property, in order to obtain drugs, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

One of three firearms stolen during one of the raids on the Ravensbourne property had been used in the shooting of a man in Rangeville on July 19 after it was handed on to “associates” in Toowoomba, the court heard.

Muller, now 46, had joined the Queensland Police Service as a 20-year-old but it was while stationed at Atherton in North Queensland some years later that he had developed addiction to alcohol and drugs, his solicitor Nathan Bouchier told the court.

He returned to Toowoomba but his substance abuse had worsened to the point he was using marijuana and alcohol daily and amphetamine regularly, Mr Bouchier said.

His client had left the police service after being involved in a disturbance at a police function, he said.

Muller had since struggled with mental health issues associated with drug use and had had previous stints in jail.

He appeared by video link from the prison to plead guilty to 13 offences committed during June and July including stealing a trailer from a roadside work site near Mooloo on July 23 and towing it to Westbrook where it was found by police.

He also admitted to breaking into caravans, shipping containers, vehicles and sheds at the Ravensbourne property of his 71-year-old mother and 42-year-old brother and stealing a range of equipment including a $13,000 all terrain quad bike, tools, three firearms – being a .22 rifle, double barrel shotgun and handgun – a generator, two chainsaws, horse riding equipment and clothing.

The court heard $1400 worth of property had been recovered leaving the family out of pocket to $13,400 as the stolen property wasn’t insured.

Mr Bouchier said his client had a difficult relationship with his family.

The court heard, despite Muller telling police he had been in the company of others during the burglaries, he had not nominated anyone else and no-one else had been charged.

Acting Magistrate Roger Stark declared 51 days spent in pre-sentence custody as time served under the penalty and sentenced Muller to two years in jail but ordered he be released on parole as of January 25 next year after he had served a total six months.

Upon learning of his sentence, Muller said: “Thank-you very much Your Honour. Sorry for my offending.”

❝very Thank-you much Your Honour. Sorry for my offending. — Prisoner Warren Muller