A former Launceston man collected thousands of dollars in goods by scamming Northern Tasmanians during online Gumtree sales, a court has heard.
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Joel Andrew Peardon, 38, of Devonport, would send screenshots of receipts to his victims as proof of payment, but cropped out the section which stated the payment had failed, before collecting the items and ceasing contact.
He managed to receive a $3800 mountain bike, $1300 and $1525 iPhones, a $750 Samsung mobile phone and 10 nights at a caravan park valued at $720 using the method, among other items.
Peardon pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Thursday to a range of dishonesty offences, including obtaining goods by false pretenses.
IN OTHER LAUNCESTON COURT NEWS:
A woman who assisted in the scam is subject to a police investigation, the court was told.
Peardon carried out the scams in order to fund his ice habit, the court heard, and a warrant was issued for his arrest earlier this year. He was arrested at a random breath test site on October 10 in possession of multiple ice pipes and four Viagra tablets.
A mobile phone in his possession was also seized and returned to its owner.
A mountain bike he obtained through the scam had been on-sold to Cash Converters, and was returned to its original owner.
Peardon also committed petrol station drive-offs in Legana and Elizabeth Town.
The court heard Peardon developed his ice addiction in 2014 when his mother was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which had a "profound" effect on him. He claimed he had "acted in an appalling way" during the scams, that he was "ashamed" and "genuinely remorseful".
He has been in custody for 41 days - his first time in custody.
Magistrate Ken Stanton requested Peardon be assessed for a community corrections order.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on November 29.