How Rebels bikie nominee Samuel John Willmott and his mate spent cash buried in their friend’s father’s garden

Two teenagers — including a young Rebels bikie nominee — dug up half-a-million dollars buried in their friend’s father’s backyard in a “grand theft” — then “squandered” tens of thousands of dollars on expensive gold chains, cars, a boat, dirt bikes, Nike shoes, and a lavish hotel stay. Samuel John Willmott, then 18, and his friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons because he was aged 17 at the time, hatched their thieving plan with the victim’s son, who wanted “revenge” on his father because he had assaulted him in public at his high school graduation ceremony. After digging up the box of cash buried at the victim’s Thornlie home in October 2018, it took the trio three to four hours to count it all before they started on their greedy spending spree. Willmott and the 17-year-old spent more than $110,000 between them until their eventual arrest four months later when the victim’s son had a falling out with the pair and disclosed the theft to his family. However, the whereabouts of the rest of the victim’s hard-earned money remains a mystery, with District Court Judge Linda Petrusa yesterday urging the pair to reveal where it was ahead of their sentencing next month. Police discovered that among the items bought by the 17-year-old was a $750 gold watch, two gold bracelets worth $1500, a $3850 gold necklace and six pairs of Nike shoes worth between $250-$270 each. The teen had bought a $5000 ute and a $10,000 Holden Commodore, spending a further $39,000 on work on the vehicle, with $1400 in cash — in $100 bills — also found in his bedroom. Meanwhile, Willmott bought a $850 gold watch, two gold bracelets worth $7000, three gold metal chains worth $14,000 and four pairs of Nike shoes worth $1000. He also purchased cars, including a four-wheel-drive ute worth $14,000, and a $19,000 boat. THE FULL LIST OF LUXURY ITEMS PURCHASED: Willmott had photographs on his mobile phone of his new dirt bikes, a jetski on the back of a trailer and himself in a bubble bath inside a $750 room at Crown Towers. “(The money) was squandered on jewellery, boats, cars — 22 years of the complainant’s hard work was wasted on their self-indulgent lifestyle,” Mr Brett said. The cash was originally hidden in a brown piano at Willmott’s parents’ home, before it was moved it into shoeboxes, which were placed in Willmott’s father’s wardrobe, and then eventually put in a safe. Lawyer Curt Hofmann, who represented the 17-year-old, said while he did have access to money — he did not have access to the safe — and admitted his client had been “sheepish” about some aspects of the crime. Mr Hofmann said what started as an “act of spite escalated into this grand theft”, adding that his client was a “very naive” person who “saw it as a ridiculously good opportunity” without “consequential thinking”. Willmott’s lawyer Fabian Ponton said Willmott had been offered $10,000 to help in the theft which was initially motivated by “revenge” for his friend. Mr Ponton said Willmott was remorseful. However, Judge Petrusa questioned his level of remorse, given he told a report author that he wants to associate himself with the Rebels bikie gang. Judge Petrusa revealed that Willmott had also told staff at Hakea Prison after his arrest in December following raids stemming from execution of the late Rebels’ chief Nick Martin, that he was a nominee of the club. Police allegedly found three guns and a police uniform at Willmott’s parents’ house when it was raided days after Martin was killed. Mr Ponton said his desire to associate with the gang “speaks to his youth” and said it was a “lifestyle he might be led down” further if he was to be given an immediate term of imprisonment. Judge Petrusa said his association with the gang “does not give him any credit whatsoever” and did not give her “any confidence” that he was genuinely remorseful or had good prospects of rehabilitation. The court was told the victim intended to spend the money on his family’s future and may have buried his money because of a cultural background of a distrust of corporations. His son pleaded guilty to stealing in 2019 and was given a suspended sentence. Sentencing was adjourned — with Judge Petrusa wanting more information, including who had control of the money in the safe.