A former police officer has walked free from court after a jury found him not guilty of stealing luxury watches seized in an anti-gang raid.
Zac Aaron Chudleigh had faced trial in Brisbane District Court this week accused of taking three luxury watches from an evidence lock-up and selling them to a jeweller for more than $90,0000.
Mr Chudleigh formerly served as a senior constable in the Queensland police crime and intelligence command.
The jury members handed down their decision on Wednesday after deliberating for four hours.
Mr Chudleigh wiped tears from his eyes and his supporter in court audibly sobbed as the not guilty verdicts for the charges of stealing and fraud were read out.
He represented himself during the trial and told the jury during his four-minute closing address on Wednesday that there were flaws in the testimony given against him.
"(The prosecution) must prove each element of the offence beyond reasonable doubt," he said.
"It is my submission that from my cross-examination of the witnesses I have proven reasonable doubt ... if you have any reasonable doubt, you must acquit."
Mr Chudleigh said police property officer witnesses had given vague and differing accounts about the details of the watches.
He said another witness had seen images of him in the media before identifying him in court as someone who sold the watches.
The watches at the centre of the case were seized during a raid at the Gold Coast home of Jordan Roman Brennan in August 2020.
Brennan later took action in the Brisbane Supreme Court against the State of Queensland seeking the return of the items with a claimed total value of at $410,085.
The Commissioner of Police was not able to return the watches, including a high-end Audemars Piquet piece, located during the search at the Robina property, the Crown Solicitor said in response to the lawsuit.
Brennan was jailed in June 2024 for 11 years over his attempt to retrieve 48 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a shipping container at the Port of Brisbane.
After the jury handed down its verdicts, Judge Suzanne Sheridan told Mr Chudleigh the charges against him had been discharged.
Mr Chudleigh declined to comment as he left the court building.
