Home invasion terror
Teens plead guilty
TWO teenagers have pleaded guilty to charges relating to a terrifying armed home invasion in Leopold.
Shane Foster, 19, and Wol Wol, 19, were to stand trial over the November incident but yesterday pleaded guilty to related offences in the Geelong County Court.
Foster, who will be sentenced on Monday, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit a criminal offence.
Wol and two other unknown men went to the home with the intention of stealing a GTS Commodore that had been staked out days earlier, the court heard.
Sleeping inside the home was father-of-two Dale Mc- Donald, his wife and teenage son.
The court heard Foster and Wol exchanged text messages planning the heist in the four days before the November 2 incident.
Prosecutor Justin Lewis said on October 28 Wol sent a message to Foster reading: “You legit? 2-3k for it? Word cuz. If you can find a GTS … I’ll give.”
Foster responded: “Try make sure you get it. Just force it or some sh--. It will be worth $$. Trust.”
Foster sent a picture of Mr McDonald’s house and told Wol he would need “two or three” people to be able to get the car.
Mr Lewis said Foster agreed to provide Wol with the address in exchange for cash.
“The Crown does not allege Mr Foster knew what was going to go on (at the property),” Mr Lewis said.
Wol, who pleaded guilty to more serious charges, admitted to possessing a prohibited weapon and committing a home invasion at Mr McDonald’s property.
He also pleaded guilty to common assault and a charge of conspiracy.
The court heard Wol was in the company of two unknown males during the failed aggravated burglary but was not in the company of Foster.
In making submissions Foster’s lawyer John Lavery said his client was young, had a difficult childhood and had pleaded guilty. Judge Paul Grant said Foster’s involvement in the burglary was “not a lowlevel offence”.
“(Foster said) I think I know where the car is and I’ll get you photos and tell you the address. That’s not a low-level offence,” Judge Grant said.
He indicated Foster would be jailed for his role and adjourned the matter for sentencing on Monday.
Wol was remanded in custody and will return to the Melbourne County Court on November 8.