The Illawarra’s favourite prison escapee-turned-parolee, Beau Wiles, is back behind bars again after allegedly being caught stealing keys to a Wollongong pub’s poker machines.
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Wiles, 29, who rose to fame in 2015 when he made a daring escape from Goulburn’s Supermax prison with the aid of his then-girlfriend, Rebecca Watts, was serving a period of parole for a recent larceny offence when he allegedly swiped the set of keys, which had been left unattended by staff members.
Court documents said Wiles and a female entered Hotel Illawarra about 4pm on September 26, with CCTV capturing Wiles dressed in grey cargo pants, black and white runners and a distinctive red, white and black coloured Nike jacket.
The pair spend a few minutes in the poker machine area before Wiles approaches the players’ change counter.
It is alleged CCTV footage captures him taking a set of keys from the top of the counter when staff aren’t looking.
He then goes back to the pokies area before the pair leaves about 20 minutes later.
Court documents said the keys open the cash boxes to each of the poker machines and are used at the end of trading to collect the pokie takings.
It is understood staff only realised the keys were missing at closing time, prompting them to review the camera footage, which allegedly identifies Wiles as the culprit.
Meantime, the locks on each of the machines had to be changed as a result of the theft, costing the hotel $1700
Wiles was arrested on Friday evening after being seen by police in the Wollongong CBD.
When asked about the theft, Wiles allegedly responded to police “I didn’t take the keys”.
In court on Monday, defence lawyer Jane Murray reiterated Wiles’ original position, entering a plea of not guilty to a single charge of larceny.
However, when told his prior criminal record meant he wouldn’t be getting out on bail, Wiles changed his plea to guilty and asked to be sentenced immediately.
Magistrate Peter Thompson refused the request and adjourned the case for Wiles to get legal advice.
In arguing for bail, Ms Murray had told the court Wiles was unlikely to receive a full time prison sentence on the charge and needed his liberty to financially support his partner, Crystal Gordon, and their two children.
His bail was opposed by police.
Magistrate Thompson ultimately found Wiles had not shown cause why his detention was not justified.
The case will return to court next week.
