Burglary clues lead to grinch

A GRINCH-style thief who tried to steal gifts from a Newcomb family just two days before Christmas left two calling cards at the scene of the crime.

But Neville Ludwick first told police he did not burgle the home, saying the medicine with his name on it found by the family in their backyard was earlier stolen from him.

However, Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard the thief had smashed a bedroom window to enter the house, and the blood found smeared inside was later identified as Ludwick’s.

Ludwick, 42, yesterday pleaded guilty to the December 23, 2015, burglary.

The court heard he had a suitcase and two bags lined up in the hallway of the Bellarine Highway home, and was filling them with the Christmas presents and other items when the family got home.

Startled, he ran, leaving the bags and another bag that held his labelled methadone bottles.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Kylie Jane said Ludwick also committed a series of burglaries in Frank St, Newtown, on July 16, breaking windows on a number of homes, cutting himself and leaving blood at some scenes.

Katherine Rolfe, defending, pointed out here was a “lack of sophistication” to her client’s offending. “There was very little taken, nothing gained by Mr Ludwick,” Ms Rolfe said.

She said the recent offences happened after Ludwick relapsed into ice use after running into an old acquaintance.

Magistrate John Lesser, who said the offences breached community corrections orders given to Ludwick for similar offences, sentenced Ludwick to 150 days in jail.

With 67 days already spent in custody, the defendant will be released just before Christmas, and put immediately on to a community corrections order.