Hood told to go straight

Recidivist offender given ‘one last chance’ by court

HAVING missed so much of his life in the past two and half years spent in jail, it was hoped recidivist offender Kepler Dennis Hood would at last turn his life around, Toowoomba District Court heard.

The 35-year-old was making his 31st court appearance when he pleaded guilty to a myriad of charges including 13 burglaries, 12 trespasses, a number of unlawful use of motor vehicles, a violent home invasion and the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle all committed over a three day period.

Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie told the court Hood had amassed an 11-page criminal history dating back to when he was 17.

Hood’s barrister David Jones said his client had started using marijuana at age 13 and had moved on to ecstasy (MDMA) and eventually became addicted to methamphetamine.

All of Hood’s offending stemmed from his drug problems, he said.

However, during a four-year period from 2009, his client had been free of drugs while working on oil rigs and starting a family with his then fiance.

However, when that relationship broke down his client had returned to drug use and offending, Mr Jones said.

His client had spent a total 902 days in custody which included one year of a three year sentence imposed by the Supreme Court at Toowoomba for drug offences.

Mr Jones said his client had entered a drug rehabilitation course but a series of family problems caused him stress which led him back to drug use and offending.

His client had lost two brothers, his mother had been diagnosed with cancer and since being in custody he had missed his children growing up, he said.

However, Hood’s family had a plan in place and once he was released he would move with his partner away from Toowoomba and old associates and start a new life.

His client had completed a number of courses in jail that would see him qualified to return to the oil rigs, Mr Jones said.

Judge Dennis Lynch QC said Hood was being given his last chance and sentenced him to four years in jail but ordered the term be suspended immediately to hang over his head for five years and be subject to three years probation.

Hood was still on parole imposed by the Supreme Court so he would be closely monitored, Judge Lynch told him.