Brightstone Defence criminal lawyer Sharon Yu was recently featured in The Daily Telegraph for her role as defence counsel in a matter before the ACT Magistrates Court involving the purchase of stolen baby formula.
Case Overview
The matter involved Mr Yuzhe Huang, who was charged with multiple counts of receiving stolen goods. The case formed part of a broader investigation by ACT Police into a criminal network targeting baby formula in the Canberra region. Authorities reported that a group had systematically stolen over $13,000 worth of formula from local supermarkets.
Between May 2022 and March 2023, Mr Huang allegedly purchased approximately 100 tins of baby formula at well below market price, despite the goods being stolen. In September 2023, police executed a search warrant at Mr Huang’s residence and located 25 tins of formula identified as stolen property. He cooperated with investigators, admitted to the purchases, but consistently denied any involvement in the original thefts.
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
In court, Mr Huang entered guilty pleas to receiving stolen property. The prosecution emphasised the scale of the operation and its impact on the retail sector, citing the high black-market value of baby formula.
Ms Yu submitted that her client had no prior criminal history, had cooperated with authorities, and had acted out of financial stress due to the post-COVID downturn in the construction industry, in which he was employed. The court accepted these as mitigating factors.
The magistrate imposed a $2,000 fine and ordered Mr Huang to comply with an 18-month good behaviour order. In handing down the sentence, the magistrate stressed the importance of general deterrence and the role that buyers of stolen goods play in sustaining broader criminal activity.
Legal Commentary
Sharon Yu, who acted for Mr Huang throughout the matter, commented on the complexities involved in such cases:
“Receiving offences are often overlooked, but they carry significant legal consequences. It’s important that the court is presented with the full context behind a client’s actions. In this case, we focused on demonstrating our client’s cooperation, lack of prior offending, and the financial difficulties that influenced his decision-making.”
Brightstone Defence’s Role
Brightstone Defence regularly represents clients in receiving, theft, and dishonesty-related offences. Our legal team is experienced in managing matters that involve broader criminal investigations, ensuring that each client receives tailored advice, a robust defence strategy, and procedural fairness throughout the process.
This matter was reported by The Daily Telegraph. You can read the full article here:
ACT Magistrates Court fines Yuzhe Huang for buying stolen baby formula – Daily Telegraph
Need Legal Help?
If you or someone you know is facing allegations involving theft, dishonesty, or receiving stolen goods, early legal advice is essential. Brightstone Defence has extensive experience in handling criminal charges across all courts in the ACT and New South Wales. Contact us today to discuss your case in a confidential consultation.
Disclaimer: The information above is general and for informational purposes only. Please seek advice from a qualified lawyer regarding your specific circumstances.
