Burglar gets jail

‘Trauma’ for teen’s victims

A NORLANE teenager has admitted his role in a drugfuelled crime spree that hit businesses in Geelong, Bannockburn, Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.

Jackson Haberman, 18, pleaded guilty to 45 charges in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday, including 20 counts of burglary, one of trafficking methamphetamine and a dangerous driving charge arising from a police pursuit.

Most of the crimes were committed alongside two cooffenders in a week-long rampage in early June.

One of the alleged co-offenders also appeared in court yesterday, indicating he plans to plead guilty to charges next month, while the third man has denied police allegations.

Appearing via video link from the Melbourne Remand Centre, Haberman admitted to magistrate Ann McGarvie he had reneged on a previous promise to her to mend his ways.

But the teenager asked for a chance “to prove this time I really want to change”.

Ms McGarvie said she hoped a six-month jail term and two 12-month community corrections orders would help Haberman reform.

“I hope you can turn your life around,” she told him.

“Because up until now it’s been totally out of control.

“If you don’t (take this chance to clean up your life) you will follow some of your co-offenders, who now appear to be in the revolving door of coming out (of jail) committing crimes, and going back in.”

The magistrate noted the “trauma” and “anguish” the crime spree would have caused for the small business owners affected.

She ordered the teenager repay more than $350 he stole, and pay a $300 fine for driving unregistered. He was also disqualified from getting a driver’s licence for a year.