Crime was to rob ‘Peter to pay Paul’
Jail for former car salesman who defrauded his customers
A FORMER Townsville car salesman’s “fall from grace” landed him in court after he failed to pay back more than $230,000 in consignment proceeds, leaving customers thousands of dollars out of pocket.
In Townsville District Court on Friday, Stuart Donald Menzie, 71, the former owner of Townsville 4WD Centre, pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud.
Crown prosecutor Shannon Sutherland said that between July 31 and September 30, 2019, Menzie acquired 10 cars on consignment and sold them but did not pay back the proceeds of the sales.
Four people fell victim to the fraud, with the total amount unpaid coming to $235,270.
The most serious charge involved an amount of $151,500.
Menzie would review ads, contact vehicle owners, and have the car’s registration transferred to him before selling it on.
Ms Sutherland said that prior to Menzie’s arrest, he told one of the victims the “cars were sold and (he) was f--ked”.
The offending was Menzie’s first, with the court hearing he had no criminal history.
Ms Sutherland said $175,000 had since been paid through insurance for two of the victims.
Defence barrister Claire Grant described Menzie’s offending as a “significant fall from grace”, but that the crime could be described as “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.
Ms Grant said Menzie had been experiencing struggles with his business after the floods, the Covid-19 pandemic, and a divorce.
“This is not a case of deliberate dishonesty … but an example of a foolish decision made while under pressure,” Ms Grant said.
Judge John Coker acknowledged Menzie’s remorse, and references from family and friends.
Menzie was sentenced to four years’ jail, to be wholly suspended after serving 10 months.
A parole release date was set for December 24, 2022, with 77 days presentence custody declared as time served.