Grandpa’s ‘foolish’ scheme
A FORMER bank employee who once stole thousands from elderly customers was caught in an “amateurish” plan to make a buck from a desperate man.
But the actions of 42-year-old Ace James Remfrey landed him before Judge John Coker in Townsville District Court.
In March 2021 after a man’s car was stolen in Townsville, he made posts on a Facebook group saying he may pay for information about the car’s location.
Remfrey and his 24-year-old cooffender Tasmyn Jade Weaver later met the man where he agreed to pay $2000 for the return of his own car.
It was not alleged that Remfrey had stolen the vehicle.
While on the way to Stocklands where the man would withdraw cash, he told the pair he wasn’t happy to pay up, but Weaver said if he didn’t he might find the car “burnt out”. Remfrey followed the man into the shopping centre as he withdrew the cash, to make sure he did not call the police.
The cash was handed over to Weaver, who took the man to his car.
But the police had already been called, and quickly identified Remfrey. Crown prosecutor Tom Hancock said Remfrey later tried to “downplay” his involvement in the offending, claiming he had only been trying to help the man get his car back.
Weaver was recently sentenced to a wholly suspended nine month jail term.
Defence barrister Michael Hibble said his client had been diagnosed with depression, borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder after a childhood marred by abuse.
Remfrey, who was brought before a court for the first time at 37 for stealing $60k from Suncorp customers while he was employed at the
Charters Towers branch, was currently serving time for traffic offences.
Mr Hibble said Remfrey was now a grandfather, but had been troubled by his sexuality throughout his life.
He said Remfrey had not profited from the offence.
Remfrey pleaded guilty to a single count of demanding property with menaces.
Judge Coker said Remfrey’s actions were “foolish” and “amateurish”, but took into account his troubled upbringing.
Remfrey was sentenced to three months’ jail, with a parole release date of December 24, 2022.