HE DID CRIME, WE PAY
Victims live with pain and cost while system struggles to deal with grubs
VICTIMS of crime like Trinity Beach couple Renae and Sean Horan (left) are being left to pay the price as politicians argue over how best to deal with an ongoing escalation in car thefts and break-ins in the Far North.
The Horans spent $6000 on security and thousands on their car after Kian Brian Talty, 18, (right) and others broke into their home while the family slept, stealing property and driving off in Mrs Horan’s car which they later dumped.
In stark contrast Talty, who pleaded guilty in Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday to 63 charges including the crimes against the Horans, was jailed for 18 months but released on parole.
A TRINITY Beach family is devastated that the teen, who broke into their home and stole their car, was released from jail and won’t have to pay restitution for any of his crimes.
Kian Brian Talty, 18, pleaded guilty in the Cairns Magistrates Court to 63 charges committed between March and June this year, including a crime spree in Trinity Beach.
“You don’t really get over the feeling of being violated,” Renae Horan said.
Talty and others entered the Roberts Drive home she owns with husband Sean in May, while the family was asleep, stealing property and driving off in Mrs Horan’s car, which was found dumped in Woree.
“We’ve just bought a new house so we can start fresh and move out of this house, because it just comes with such bad memories now,” Mrs Horan said.
After their home was burgled, Mrs Horan said about $6000 was spent on a security system and cameras installed “just so my kids could sleep at night”.
Thousands of dollars were spent on repairs to the damaged vehicle.
“These kids are only going to get more brazen … they’re already comfortable walking into people’s homes while they’re asleep in their beds.”
Yesterday Talty was jailed for 18 months but released immediately on parole.
Magistrate Robert Spencer made no restitution orders for damage done during the crime wave.
The court was told that Talty, who spent his 18th birthday behind bars, had been released on bail two days before committing 41 of the offences. His charges include 23 burglaries, 16 vehicle thefts, six unlicensed driving, multiple business break and enters, and more.
After he was found by police hiding in a wheelie bin in Innisfail, and arrested, Talty was again released on bail, which he then breached three times.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Amy Rennie said while Talty was in custody he also damaged police property at the watch-house.
“Certainly he’s shown no insight,” she said.
“The victims themselves have suffered extensively.”
Defence solicitor Steve Carter told the court that his client had not been the principal offender, but more a “willing participant” who was “just going for the ride”.
Mr Carter said he had spent 96 days in an adult jail as someone who was “just coming out of childhood”.
“He’s done the hard yards before he’s even been sentenced,” Mr Carter said.
Due to his young age, Mr Carter said Talty was more amenable to rehabilitation.