A man has been arrested outside a Bendigo courtroom over a separate matter to the offences to which he was pleading guilty.
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Justin William Craig, 42, pleaded guilty in the County Court in Bendigo on Wednesday to charges of burglary and theft, committed in Eaglehawk in January 2016.
But he still had one month and 18 days of a prison term left to serve for 2018 offending that included theft of a motor vehicle, driving disqualified, negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime, theft, using an unregistered vehicle, and not displaying the correct number plates.
Craig had launched an appeal against his five-month jail sentence for this offending and was granted bail, but failed to appear at the hearing last November and the appeal was struck out - meaning he needed to serve the remainder of the sentence.
Yesterday Craig was assessed for a community corrections order for the 2016 offending, which Judge Sarah Dawes considered starting once Craig's prison sentence was finished.
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The court heard Craig broke into a Victoria Street, Eaglehawk home between January 3 and January 10, 2016 and stole two watches, along with power tools that included a grinder, jigsaw and chargers.
The victim discovered the burglary upon returning home from a holiday, and found belongings - including alcohol and two televisions - had been moved from the house to inside the garage door. A palm print found on one of the televisions was matched to Craig.
The court heard Craig's partner at the time was a friend of the victim. After his arrest, Craig denied the offending.
The court heard the belongings were sold to buy ice.
Defence counsel Benjamin Lindner said the four-year delay was a significant matter for the judge to consider in sentencing. The court heard a resolution had been reached in June 2018, but Craig was not able to be found for the matter to progress.
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Mr Lindner said his client had not committed crimes of this kind prior to January 2016 and had a stable work history. "[Craig] appears to have overcome the ice addiction that led to the commission of these offences," he said.
Mr Lindner submitted that his client should be sentenced to a community corrections order, or failing that, a significant fine.
Crown prosecutor Samantha Holmes said the prosecution did not oppose a community corrections order.
In a victim impact statement, the occupant of the home Craig broke into said he was angry and frightened in the aftermath of the crime, and felt his personal space had been invaded.
Craig will be sentenced on Thursday.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
