’Peers’ spurred man to thefts

A YOUNG Cairns man, who contributed to the high number of vehicles stolen in Cairns this year, claims he was acting under peer pressure.

So far this year 443 vehicles have been stolen within the Cairns region.

Alan Salt was involved in two of those.

On March 6 he entered a Cairns home, stealing a set of car keys and driving off in a vehicle.

Four days later he committed the same crime.

Police prosecutor Steve Baso said the 18-year-old had never held a licence.

Mr Baso said Salt had already received community service, probation and jail with immediate parole for similar offending.

“While still young ... Salt is presenting as a recidivist offender,” Mr Baso said, adding that the defendant had been given many opportunities by the court and continued to offend.

Salt pleaded guilty in the Cairns Magistrates Court to charges of burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police data reveals that between January and July this year there were 1394 reported burglaries and 600 unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences in Far North Queensland. That’s slightly higher than the 1240 and 471 during the same period last year.

Salt also assaulted two police officers who had been trying to detain him after he had brandished a knife in public.

Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Legal Service solicitor Joseph Crawfoot asked Magistrate Sandra Pearson to take into account Salt’s young age.

“There should be some concession that the prospect of rehabilitation is greater in his circumstances than perhaps an older person before the court might have,” Mr Crawfoot said, adding that Salt blamed his property offending on “peer influence”.

Ms Pearson said the penalty must send a message.

Salt has spent four months in custody. He was jailed for three months to be released on November 15 and placed on an 18-month probation order. Convictions were recorded.