Man steals grog on day of his parole
THE ink had barely dried on cray fisherman Ted Waianga’s parole when he was busted breaking into a Cairns home for a suitcase full of grog on the same day.
Cairns Magistrates Court this month heard Waianga, 25, had been released on parole in August and wanted to see his five children but could not organise access.
“He became frustrated and turned to hanging out with friends he shouldn’t have been hanging out with,” defending lawyer Carly Forsyth said.
Neighbours watched as Waianga entered through a side window and left dragging a gold suitcase loaded with 21 bottles of spirits and five bottles of wine.
“It wasn’t his instigating – this was an opportunistic offence,” Ms Forsyth said.
“It occurred during the night and was unsophisticated – he was seen by neighbours.”
Police intercepted Waianga with his golden loot not far from the address.
“Mr Waianga described it as a stuff-up – he was not able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by parole,” Ms Forsyth said.
Waianga pleaded guilty to entering a dwelling and stealing the alcohol.
The court heard that the defendant had already been convicted of robbery at 19 in 2012, then again three years later. “It is an unenviable listing for someone so young,” Ms Forsyth said. “He has spent significant time in custody in his formative years.”
Magistrate Alan Comans said the value of the stolen alcohol paled when compared with effect on the residents.
“It is not the value of the items, it that the residents who get broken into feel violated,” Mr Comans said.
He sentenced Waianga to 15 months in jail to be suspended over three years.
“You have enough motivation not to offend – you have five children to support,” Mr Comans said. “You have been a very slow learner – you need supervision for a long time.”
He declared Waianga had spent 130 days as time served.
MR WAIANGA DESCRIBED IT AS A STUFFUP – HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY PAROLE
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