Brady Derek Fertch: Geraldton man accused of $60,000 trailer theft pleads guilty to raft of charges

A Geraldton man accused of stealing a $60,000 trailer used to help people with disabilities access the beach has pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Brady Derek Fertch appeared via video link in Geraldton Magistrate’s court on Thursday faced with 19 charges. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 of those, including three counts of stealing, one count of aggravated burglary, trespassing and criminal damage or destruction of property. Fertch also pleaded guilty to stealing a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia with a prohibited drug and offer to sell or supply a prohibited drug to another. He did not enter pleas for two counts of stealing, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, one count of gaining benefit by fraud, possession of stolen property, burglary with intent, aggravated burglary and home burglary. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Beau Jones told the court Fertch stole an enclosed box trailer full of $60,000 worth of equipment from Ultimate Watersports on April 6. Fertch allegedly stole the silver Mitsubishi Pajero and trailer containing mobility assistance equipment from the Francis Street car park near the Batavia Motor Inne. It was later found dumped and torched close to the speedway on Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road. The car was not set on fire and was discovered elsewhere. On that same day, he also stole a surfboard from Ultimate Watersports in Geraldton to the value of $10,000. Speaking at the time of the incident, owner of Ultimate Watersports Lindsay Cannon said the business lost upwards of $60,000 worth of equipment. “Most of it isn’t insured, it was expensive and took a while to source. We are absolutely devastated,” he said. While on February 27 in Webberton, police say the 26-year-old stole a Yamaha motorcycle, GoPro and various other items to the value of $9500. The matter has been adjourned to August 11 and Fertch will remain in custody.