Criminal nuisance handed jail time
FOR four months Jamique Natrel Baker was a serial pest committing 31 offences around the Cairns region.
Aged just 18 and 19 during the offending time frame, from November 26 last year to March 28 this year, he committed many burglaries stealing people’s cars.
He then used the vehicles to commit more crimes.
At times Baker forced entry into homes, while people were asleep, and took their car keys and other property.
Acting Magistrate Richard Lehmann said twice he stole two sets of keys, drove one vehicle away and then returned for a second vehicle.
On November 28 Baker took a vehicle that he then used in a ram raid at Holloways Beach Sporting Club where there was a failed attempt to steal an automatic teller machine.
Four days before Christmas, on December 21, Baker entered and ransacked the home of a 71-year-old woman, stealing about $80.
The Cairns Magistrates Court was told that in some cases Baker was caught on CCTV footage, in others he left fingerprints and DNA at the scene. However, he did make full and frank admissions to police once arrested and some charges only came about through the admissions.
“These offences are extremely serious,” Mr Lehmann said.
Baker pleaded guilty to various charges, including burglary, stealing, fraud, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.
Defence solicitor Rowan Silva said his client came from a difficult upbringing and had been kicked out of home when he was 13.
“Thereafter he lived on the streets,” Mr Silva said.
Baker was jailed for two and a half years to be released on parole after serving one third.
He was also disqualified from driving for three months.