MAN NABBED OVER CRIME RING

A CAREER crook has got more than he bargained for after he fled with a $3500 engagement ring from a Geelong jewellery store.

Kevin Knowles later sold the ring for an undisclosed sum, but yesterday in Geelong Magistrates’ Court he was ordered to repay the cost of the ring on top of a $1500 fine.

The 44-year-old ventured into the Michael Hill jewellery store in Market Square about 7.30pm on December 15.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jacki Davis said Knowles asked a staff member about the one-carat diamond ring, which he said was for a friend.

But when the ring was handed to him for a closer look, the part-time demolition worker immediately ran from the store and into a car.

Knowles was eventually arrested on Christmas Day at a home in Camperdown, where he refused to say to whom he had sold the ring and how much money he made from the sale.

The court heard Knowles had 39 pages of prior criminal history.

In court, a contrite Knowles said he had turned his life around since the theft.

“I was in Geelong at the time and had nowhere to live; I was with junkies,” he said.

“I done something stupid (and) I took the ring.

“But I’m working now ... I’m not on drugs anymore and I’m back training at the gym.”

Knowles was convicted on top of his fine and ordered to pay back the cost of the ring.

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