A man who severed an artery in his forearm during a bungled burglary attempt has avoided further jail time.
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Kurtis Anderson, 21, pleaded guilty in the Bendigo County Court to one charge of aggravated burglary and was released on a three-year community corrections order.
County Court Judge Irene Lawson sentenced Anderson to 98 days in prison in addition to the CCO, which equated to the same number of days he served on remand.
“I’m taking a merciful approach to your case having regard to the other factors but I want you to genuinely commit to this CCO and give it your utmost,” she said.
Prosecutor Damien Maguire told the court Anderson attended a property in Echuca in August and unsuccessfully tried to remove a fly screen from a front bedroom window.
Anderson then used a screwdriver on a security door at the rear of the property in another unsuccessful attempt to gain entry.
The court heard Anderson, who also had a knife in his possession, removed a fly screen and smashed a kitchen window at the property before he was disturbed by one of the occupants.
Mr Maguire told the court Anderson fled on foot and left a trail of blood from the crime scene to a nearby property where he was later picked up by his brother and taken to Bendigo Hospital.
The court heard Anderson had surgery on a severed radial artery, nerve and tendon in his forearm before being taken into custody.
Mr Maguire read a victim impact statement to the court.
“The image of someone trying to break into our home by smashing our windows frightened me. I did not know if he had a weapon or was consumed with drugs,” the statement read.
In sentencing Anderson, Judge Lawson said: “The impact of your offending has been profound. The victim will never forget the image of someone trying to get into her home.”
“Such behaviour needs to be condemned and a message sent out to the community that this type of behaviour is unacceptable.
“I do believe you are a young man who has a potential for the future but you've just got to grab this opportunity.”
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