Hefty price to pay for carton of booze

A STOLEN carton of booze and an expletive-littered tirade at an IGA has landed a Southern Downs man with a hefty fine.

Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard how delivery truck driver Mark Brendan Horton willingly took a carton of Canadian Club he considered “fair game” from a coworker after his employer’s business collapsed.

The carton was one of 10 originally destined for the Railway Hotel in Allora, before the owner sent it back due to an incorrect order.

He believed the alcohol was given to him as a parting gift.

The court heard how upon the closure of the delivery company, the 48-year-old took the carton from another employee.

Police prosecutor Rowan Brewster-Webb also detailed to the court another incident where an intoxicated Horton confronted a shopper at the Allora IGA over what was described as a 20-year-feud.

Police said Horton called the man in his 70s a “f------ c---” while lining up to be served at the supermarket, launching a tirade of abuse at the man.

The incident took place in front of a 14-year-old cashier.

Horton pleaded guilty to the five charges against him yesterday.

Acting Magistrate Robert Walker fined Horton $1000 with convictions against him recorded.

“If you are the type of person to hold a grudge for that long you ought to find other ways to resolve the issue other than confronting an elderly man,” he said.