A MAN who broke into a Flora Hill pharmacy to steal prescription medication has been jailed for four months.
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Nicholas Durr, 32, appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court last week when he pleaded guilty to charges including theft, damaging property, possessing a controlled weapon, and contravening bail.
The court heard about 8pm on May 28 this year, Durr was captured on CCTV footage with two other people outside a Flora Hill laundromat, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
About 8.44pm that night, Durr walked away from the laundromat while one of his associates, armed with a hammer, smashed two CCTV cameras located outside the laundromat.
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The court heard Durr then returned to the laundromat, where he covered his face and entered with a hammer.
Durr damaged two CCTV cameras inside the laundromat, with the total damage valued at $450.
The court heard then on July 4 this year, Durr entered a Bendigo liquor store where he grabbed a bottle of whiskey worth $39.99 and placed it in the pocket of his grey hoodie.
A staff member confronted Durr but he ended up leaving the store without paying.
The court heard then about 12.44am on July 6 this year, Durr was captured on CCTV footage attending a Flora Hill pharmacy carrying a bag and a brick.
Durr threw the brick at the front door of the property, causing it to shatter and the brick to split into two.
The court heard he tried to push through the front door but he slipped and hit his legs on the bottom broken glass section of the door.
Durr made his way to the medication dispensing area at the back of the pharmacy and filled his bag with 18 packets of prescription medications. He was in the store for about five minutes.
The court heard he tripped on the broken door as he was leaving, falling onto the footpath and dropping one packet of medication.
He picked up the medication and left the scene, before returning about 30 seconds later to pick up the broken brick.
The total value of the stolen medications was $124, with the damage to the front door valued at $750.
Investigators assessed the scene and found blood on the exterior of the front door.
The court heard then on July 8 this year, Durr entered a Bendigo liquor store and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. He left the store without paying.
Durr was arrested later that day and was found with a steak knife. He was charged and bailed to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court at a later date.
The court heard then on July 28 this year, Durr attended the property of a person who had a family violence safety notice against him. He was heavily intoxicated and holding a bottle of alcohol.
The court heard Durr became angry with the protected person for not helping him with his medication and threatened to hit the person with the bottle.
Durr then went to the kitchen and grabbed a meat cleaver. He threatened the person with the meat cleaver and the person retreated to the bedroom to call 000.
The court heard Durr kicked a hallway door and punched a wall before leaving the property.
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Police arrested Durr a short time later and he was brought to the Bendigo Police Station for questioning.
In his record of police interview, Durr admitted to being the person in the laundromat's CCTV footage and said he was high on drugs at the time.
He told police he couldn't remember if he had been at the pharmacy and said he was injured when he was assaulted in nearby bush land.
Durr was charged and appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on August 14 this year. He was bailed to a rehabilitation facility on a number of conditions, including not to use a drug of dependence.
Defence counsel Natalie Perera told the court Durr had been at the rehabilitation facility but was exited due to a number of reasons.
Ms Perera said Durr had a significant psychiatric history and the family was looking to other rehabilitation residences that would support him.
The defence lawyer said Durr had spent a total of 28 days in pre-sentence detention, and that he had spent periods of that time in isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Perera said a combination sentence would be appropriate.
Magistrate Sharon McRae sentenced Durr to four months in jail, with the 28 days reckoned as already served.
He will need to complete a community corrections order upon his release from prison.
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