A Framlingham man who filled a wheelie bin with stolen tools during a burglary in Port Fairy has been released from custody.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lucas Harradine, 32, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to dishonesty, drug and driving-related offences and was jailed for the 184 days he already served in pre-sentence detention.
He was released on a community correction order that includes 160 hours of unpaid community work, and his driver's licence was cancelled for two years.
The court heard the man was unknown to police until he started using drugs about five years ago, starting with speed and then becoming addicted to methamphetamine.
Lawyer Alexis Buckley said Harradine often went days without sleeping and that if not for his period of remand in custody, he might not have been able to see "the impact drugs were having on his life".
The court heard Harradine was already on bail for driving a Toyota Hilux and refusing to stop on police request on November 9.
He then failed to appear in court on two occasions, was rearrested and charged and released on bail again.
On February 10, Harradine trespassed at a residential property under renovation in Port Fairy's Norfolk place and stole a wheelie bin, which he filled with power tools that were left at the site.
The court heard he was later captured on CCTV was a 1990 Ford Courier with distinct markings on the side.
That vehicle then fled police on February 18 after driving erratically near Tower Hill.
The court heard police later searched Harradine's property and located the Ford, as well as thousands of dollars worth of power tools stolen from the Port Fairy address.
Harradine was arrested at a property in Warrnambool's Raglan Parade. He was found in possession of a stolen iPhone and headphones worth $1500.
A search of his mobile phone revealed videos of him smoking methamphetamine.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark https://www.standard.net.au/
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines
- and newsletters.
- Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Tap here to open our Google News page.
- Join our Courts and Crime Facebook group and our dedicated Sport Facebook group
- Subscribe