A 19-YEAR-OLD penniless crook who robbed a young family while they slept this week was yesterday last seen running barefoot from the Warrnambool police station to catch a bus.
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But, it was all legal after Jesse Cosgrove, of Henry Street, Hamilton, pleaded guilty to charges in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court late Thursday.
He received a community corrections order and the broke teenager was given $10 by his solicitor so he could catch the bus back to Hamilton.
Cosgrove had to run from the police station to catch the late bus and he wasn't wearing any shoes.
He pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated burglary, theft and three counts of obtaining property by deception.
A bail application had been part-heard by magistrate John Lesser so Cosgrove's mother could be contacted to determine if her son could live with her.
She refused and Cosgrove and solicitor Xavier Farrelly changed tack, pleading guilty to the charges.
Cosgrove was then assessed and found suitable for a community corrections order.
He was placed on the CCO for 12 months with the condition he do 120 hours community work and undertake assessment and treatment for drug issues and programs to reduce the chances of reoffending.
Mr Farrelly chipped in $10 to help his client get back to Hamilton.
Earlier Hamilton policeman Acting Sergeant Sam Austin said that at 4am Wednesday, Cosgrove entered a east Hamilton property about 500 metres from his home.
He went through an unlocked gate, entered a garage and then the adjoining house while young parents and their child slept.
Cosgrove stole two backpacks containing computers, four hard drives, credit cards, a flute valued at $13,000 and shoes, worth a total of about $20,000.
Later Wednesday morning he used a credit card at a McDonald's restaurant, a supermarket and a service station, spending about $180.
Cosgrove was captured on security camera footage and identified by police.
He was later arrested after a short foot pursuit and remanded in custody overnight to appear in court.
