A burglar caught on his own security footage before and after his offending has been given a partially suspended jail term after he helped authorities secure convictions against his co-accused.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Damien Thomas Andy fronted the ACT Supreme Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to aggravated burglary, property damage and theft.
The court previously heard that in September 2020, Andy was part of a group that smashed through the front door of the victim's home in Taylor, triggering the woman to flee with her children.
Andy was not armed with a weapon, but the others had sticks or baseball bats and used them to smash the place up.
They also yelled threats and abuse at the woman before Andy stole an Xbox One and a glass bong.
The group left in his Holden Commodore after police were called.
The court heard CCTV at Andy's place captured him putting a baseball bat in his car less than one hour before the offending.
It also showed him leaving then coming back home with the Xbox and bong in view.
Police searched his house following the incident and found the stolen items while forensic analyses also matched a baseball bat, paint samples and DNA to the crime scene.
Last September, then Chief Justice Helen Murrell sentenced Andy to one month jail for the theft offence.
She adjourned the sentencing of the burglary and property damage due to questions surrounding a sentence with a drug and alcohol treatment order.
MORE COURT AND CRIME NEWS
In court on Wednesday, Chief Crown Prosecutor Anthony Williamson said Andy in February agreed to be a Crown witness in the trial of his two co-accused.
Mr Williamson, who was the prosecutor in that trial, said if it were not for Andy's evidence, the Crown "would not have secured the convictions it did against the two co-accused".
Andy's help meant he was entitled to a reduced punishment under the Crimes Sentencing Act.
In sentencing Andy for the final two offences, former Chief Justice Murrell said that before being told about his help, she was "minded, although certainly not committed, to directing that the offender serves his sentence by way of a drug and alcohol treatment order".
She said that although such an order was focused on rehabilitation, it would have "interfered significantly with his life in many respects", including his work commitments and re-connection with his community, due to its various requirements.
"Consequently after some consideration...it is appropriate to direct that the sentence be served by way of a partially suspended sentence in recognition of the offender's assistance," she said.
Andy was sentenced to two and a half years jail, suspended from Wednesday upon him entering a two-year good behaviour order.
Former Chief Justice Murrell also took into account the time Andy had served in custody before being sentenced.
Earlier in the hearing, defence lawyer Jonathon Cooper said his client wanted the matter to be dealt with as soon as possible and asked for a suspended sentence.
Both of Andy's co-accused - Alexander Warne and another who is not named for legal reasons - are set for sentencing in May for similar offences.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
