'F-ing judge': alleged dumpling house burglar abuses magistrate in court

An alleged dumpling restaurant burglar launched a foul-mouthed spray against a magistrate when he was refused bail, which saw him threatened with the possibility of contempt of court charges.

“Shouldn’t even be a f-ing judge,” 44-year-old Douglas James Weldon said in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (1 October).

“Motherf-er.”

After he was taken out of the courtroom by custodial officers, Magistrate Robert Cook told Weldon’s defence lawyer that he would contact the registrar and ask them to consider drafting contempt of court charges unless Weldon apologised for his comments.

It is alleged in court documents that around 5 am on 21 September 2024, security cameras filmed Weldon as he crawled along the floor of the CBD Dumpling House in Civic towards the restaurant’s cash register.

He allegedly stole $2000 cash and a bank card for the business before fleeing the restaurant.

He then allegedly used the bank card to make numerous purchases that same morning, which totalled about $492. These included bourbon, cigarettes, takeaway food, and a silver ring and neck chain from Angus & Coote.

Weldon was arrested and handed seven counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, as well as single counts of burglary and theft.

“I’m a bit confused. How many charges are there?” he said while Magistrate Cook was reading them to him on Tuesday.

“Lots of them,” the magistrate replied.

Weldon applied for bail and his defence lawyer, Legal Aid’s Lesley Jayasuriya, said his client had recently put himself on the waitlist to get into the Canberra Recovery Hub, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

Mr Jayasuriya said his client supported his two daughters and was about to start a business course at the Canberra Institute of Technology.

However, the prosecutor opposed bail, alleging he had demonstrated a “cavalier attitude” to court orders in the past.

Magistrate Cook said the allegations were serious and the risks if he was granted bail were significant. He refused bail before Weldon launched into his foul-mouthed spray.

“It’s hearsay, yeah?” he said of the allegations against him.

“You only see what’s in front of you.

“You made your mind up before I even walked into this courtroom.”

He then started swearing at the magistrate.

Weldon was remanded in custody. The matters were adjourned to 15 October.