Man to pay back $10k to fraud vic

ANSWERING an advertisement to build a woman a cabin, a Toowoomba man swindled his victim out of $10,000 before spending the money on some tools and on his own rent, ignoring his victim’s requests to do the work or return the money.

Toowoomba man Owen Dominic Young (pictured) responded to an ad on June 24, 2021 that was placed by a woman online to build a cabin at Mount Berryman in the Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told on Wednesday.

After quoting the victim $15,000 to supply and construct a steel frame for the cabin, he requested a $10,000 deposit, with $2000 transferred on July 2 and $8000 on July 7.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said while there was no written agreement between the parties there had been no visible progress by the end of the month, and in August the victim made a complaint to police.

The court was told police spoke to Young on September 7 last year, where he said he had spent some of the money on tools but the rest on personal expenses, even after the victim had made requests to return the deposit.

In Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Young pleaded guilty to fraud, as well as 22 other unrelated offences including stealing, wilful damage and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Duty lawyer Phil Stainton said his client was remorseful for his actions.

Magistrate Kay Philipson handed Young a six month jail term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered that $10,000 restitution be paid within 10 months. He was also placed on 18 months probation.