au.news.yahoo.com/man-fined-3200-for-breathtaking-kite-surfing-theft-24259188.html

"A man who stole $10,000 of kite surfing equipment on the last night of the big Kitestock event at Port Denison in February has been fined $3200."

The proverbial slap on the wrist. Jail time: ZERO.

Looks like a pretty good risk profile if you can steal $10k of gear and only risk a potential fine of $3,200... (Actually, the value was much greater -- the police valued the gear at FAR below value, having no idea what any of it was worth.

Yep - great odds. Im all for stealing your gear with the risk of this consequence.
Free gear = short detention with family friendly meals provided .. why wouldnt U ???

And that would be considered a fine at the higher end of the scale.

Would you like it,

Ridiculous! thats less than the tax you would have to pay if you earned the $10,000 legitimately. Crime does pay!

Listen guys we aren't considering mitigating factors like 'did he have a good childhood and what was his relationship with his father like' and I'm sure he may suffer from a certain diagnosed 'condition' that compels him to do such things.

You guys are not seeing the bigger picture...

Got that address yet Vb man?

eppo said...
Listen guys we aren't considering mitigating factors like 'did he have a good childhood and what was his relationship with his father like' and I'm sure he may suffer from a certain diagnosed 'condition' that compels him to do such things.

You guys are not seeing the bigger picture...

Got that address yet Vb man?

Nah, still workin on it though

Don't worry Eppo. I'll cover the fuel

Mmmm?, fuel, now there's an idea

Thieving low life pricks like this need nine colours of sh#t beaten out of them.
Spreader bars make good weapons!

WeirdEd said...

hargs said...
Thieving low life pricks like this need nine colours of sh#t beaten out of them.
Spreader bars make good weapons!

Hmmm, maybe it's just my soft European socialization but I find assault with a weapon slightly unbalanced in comparison to theft.

How does it work here? Do people in the Australian system not get sentenced to compulsory volunteer work additional to the fine? That typically gives them time to think about their actions...

The thing is weird ed, if it keeps happening over and over again these scumbags need a good clip around the ear.
Think about it, if you got your legs broken for stealing a kite, you woundnt try and steal another kite.

I must admit these guys got off pretty lightly.

I am blown away they did not get any of the gear back and they did no jail time. If they stole a car thats a different story.

I think the story is not telling the full picture.

Its funny though I have seen the aftermath of someone stealing a surfboard at a local spot in Torquay.
The Guy was absolutely claiming that he was not the one that stole it, including his 3 mates that were backing him up.
Unfortunately for him the guy who's board was stolen did not see it that way and beat the Bejusus out of him and 2 of his mates (the other one bolted).
Yes the police were called and funny enough the guys did not want to lay charges (they were still laying on the ground). Problem Sorted.

Moral of the story is don't buy stolen goods unless you know if the guy is legit. If a deal is too good to be true its stolen or dodgy.

If they fine these muppets more maybe they can use that money to better educate the youth of this country... yeah, nah...

Some of us put a fair bit of effort to sort these lot out and help people get there kiting gear back, personally I see it as a kick in the teeth as would robbo, f888888g pathetic

WeirdEd said...

hargs said...
Thieving low life pricks like this need nine colours of sh#t beaten out of them.
Spreader bars make good weapons!

Hmmm, maybe it's just my soft European socialization but I find assault with a weapon slightly unbalanced in comparison to theft.

How does it work here? Do people in the Australian system not get sentenced to compulsory volunteer work additional to the fine? That typically gives them time to think about their actions...

Yeah right. So they turn up to do their community service. Give me a break. And then have time to think about their actions??? Come on. All that low life scum bags like this think about is who they are going to rip off next between their next dole cheque. The judicial system here is weak as piss. If I caught some flea bag steeling from my place it would be the last thing they ever did. Oh yeah I have a big dog and he hates socialised Euro's too

WeirdEd said...

hargs said...
Thieving low life pricks like this need nine colours of sh#t beaten out of them.
Spreader bars make good weapons!

Hmmm, maybe it's just my soft European socialization but I find assault with a weapon slightly unbalanced in comparison to theft.

How does it work here? Do people in the Australian system not get sentenced to compulsory volunteer work additional to the fine? That typically gives them time to think about their actions...

My mate worked with a well known aboriginal dance company on an Oz island that toured the world. In their customary law you can get your tooth knocked, out or a spear in the leg for breaking their laws. He was subject to some tribal law after having pre marital sex (which ended in a wife and son). Personally I think they should just put them in a Fluro pink thief t-shirt and make them do a **** load of community work, dune care, sea bird rescue etc....... Or if you want to be really nasty make them rub some deco rub on some crusty old wind surfers, get the cobwebs off their boards and polish their masts

hargs said...


Oh yeah I have a big dog and he hates socialised Euro's too

That's good to know. I just hope your big dog does not bite you in the a$$ after it finds out that you have plenty of Euros in your family tree.

Regarding the piss weak judicial system: There are plenty of "strong" systems all over the world. Some are based on the Sharia, some on dictatorships, etc. and I don't think they are doing a better job.

The "weakness" of civilized systems is that they sometimes let people go with a slap on the wrist if they are caught the first time. Repeat offenders typically don't get a soft treatment. If you put a first time offender who has committed a relatively minor offence (like theft) into jail and he loses his job and gets a criminal record guess what will happen. He will meet people he should not hang out with, never get a job again and steal for a living because he has no other option.

If he learns from this and gets a regular income and family (something to lose) he will most likely not steal again.

I really understand that people are upset - Btw I hope the guy who stole my bike last year has a bad accident with it - but I don't think a lynch mob is the correct approach.

Hey, why would I nick other peoples gear ?

I only ride Airush gear !

So why would I lower my standards ?