Pearce’s release date set
A GOLD Coast man known for bashing bikies and paedophiles who was called in as “extra muscle” for an extortion attempt will be released from prison in August.
Kevin Pearce, 31, pleaded guilty to a number of offences in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday, including unlawfully entering a vehicle with intent to commit an indictable offence and possessing a sawn-off shotgun.
The court heard Pearce’s father – a pastor recently returned from missionary work in Myanmar – was “ropeable” when police found his son’s break action sawn-off shotgun hidden wedged between two mattresses during a raid on his Biggera Waters house in February this year.
Pearce was arrested after the raid and has spent much of his 105 days behind bars in prison protection, because “he does not play well with others”, the court heard.
“Although he doesn’t use the term, he doesn’t get on well with bikies. He spends a lot of time in protection,” defence lawyer Dave Garratt, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said.
He told the court Pearce kept the weapon as protection.
“His father is quite ropeable in regards to having a firearm in his house, the reason Mr Pearce has this firearm is for protection,” Mr Garratt said.
In relation to the unlawful entry charge, the court was heard Pearce was called in as “extra muscle” in relation to a small businessman who thought he was doing a $7000 Gumtree deal for electronics at a Nerang service station in November 2017.
The court heard Pearce got into the rear of the businessman’s car but the man feared for his safety and fled.
One of the men with Pearce drove the businessman’s car away and called him demanding $7000 for its return.
The court heard Pearce was on his “final warning” with his father, who had helped him find a job offer to become an apprentice aircraft engineer.
In sentencing yesterday, Magistrate Brian Kucks warned Pearce against using a weapon as protection.
“It’s up to you to pick who your friends are and who your friends aren’t, but this is not the way to defend yourself,” he said.
Pearce was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possession of a weapon and six months for the unlawful entry charge to be served concurrently.
He was also convicted for drug and explosives charges.
Pearce’s parole release date is set for August 20.