Beau Thomas Andrew Burke: Tattooed meth abuser who attempted to kidnap a woman in Rockhampton, Central Queensland could soon be released from jail

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A violent thug who attempted to kidnap a woman while high on ice before going on to commit other serious offences, including arson while out on parole could soon be freed from prison.

Beau Thomas Andrew Burke, 26, has a history of drug-fuelled violence and has violated his parole twice in less than four years in central Queensland. 

The thug, who has the letters 'HARD' tattooed across the knuckles on his left hand, once attempted to kidnap a young woman, telling her 'I want you'.

He has also caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage after setting fire to a car and a houseboat while out on parole for his earlier crimes. 

Despite his lengthy rap sheet, authorities are keeping quiet about the details of his imminent release into the community, according to news.com.au.

Beau Thomas Andrew Burke (pictured) has a history of drug-fuelled violence and has violated his parole twice in less than four years

The tattooed thug once attempted to kidnap a young woman, telling her 'I want you', and has caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage after setting fire to a car and a houseboat while out on parole

READ MORE: Shocking court act of the man accused over the allegedly brutal death of the 'lovely' woman living next door to him - as details emerge of his drug withdrawals 

John Torney (pictured), 39, has been charged with a range of assault offences over the death of 49-year-old Emma Bates

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Burke's violent offending began after he injected himself with 0.3 grams of meth and stole his neighbour's Toyota Hilux ute in the early hours of May 13, 2019.

He stopped and asked a 24-year-old woman for directions as she waited outside the North Rockhampton Hotel in central Queensland to be picked up by her boyfriend.

The tattooed thug lunged at the terrified woman, placing her in a headlock and dragging her into the stolen vehicle. 

Burke's chilling response when she asked him what he wanted was: 'I want you'.

The woman was only able to escape when she beeped the horn in the stolen car and someone in the hotel rushed to her aid. 

Burke was then involved in a high-speed chase before he crashed 30km away and assaulted officers who eventually arrested him.

He also kicked a police dog during his arrest. 

Incredibly, he was released on parole when he was sentenced in 2020 after 13 months in pre-sentence custody, a punishment Judge Michael Burnett had hoped was 'sufficiently enlightening'. 

Despite being told by the judge that he would be jailed if he committing any further crimes, Burke went on to set fire to a car and a moored houseboat less than a year later.  

The double act of arson was committed while Burke was high on ice in April 9, 2021, which caused hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage. 

He claimed he thought the car was abandoned and, after combing it for any valuables, panicked when he realised his fingerprints were everywhere. 

Burke's lawyers claimed he then set fire to the car in an attempt to cover up the evidence before feeling the scene when confronted by a friend of the car owner. 

Burke 's violent offending began after he injected himself with 0.3 grams of meth and stole his neighbour's ute in he early hours of May 13, 2019

He then swam across Rockhampton's crocodile infested Fitzroy River to a moored houseboat, which he also set on fire.

The devastated owner, who had planned to use the boat in their retirement, estimated the vessel to be worth up to $40,000.

Burke was handed a four year prison sentence, with his parole eligibility set for August 2022.

Yet, his offending continued after leaving prison when, in June 2023, he went on another meth-fuelled rampage where he attempted to carjack multiple people.

His victims included a 17-year-old girl, whose wrist he grabbed before uttering the threat, 'Give me your f**king keys'.

Burke pleaded guilty to a string of offences and was given an 18-month sentence. 

Despite being told by the judge at his 2020 sentencing that he would be jailed if he committing any further crimes, Burke went on to set fire to a car (pictured) and a moored houseboat

The devastated owner, who had planned to use the houseboat in their retirement, estimated the vessel to be worth up to $40,000 (pictured)

'Once again, you have acted out in a selfish manner in your decision to use dangerous drugs, predominantly methamphetamine,' Judge Jeff Clarke told Rockhampton's District Court last month.

'On this occasion, your behaviour again was irrational and unpredictable.

'Previous lengthy orders of imprisonment have failed to deter you or give you a reason to change your lifestyle.'

Despite his comments, Judge Clarke reportedly granted Burke immediate parole eligibility, given the time he had already served in custody. 

It's understood Burke remains in custody but will be released imminently.

Daily Mail Australia approached Queensland Corrections for comment.