Trapped in a COVID spiral

Man stole for food and rent: court

“It was having an impact on him and his partner. That’s when they found out that she A MAN spiralled into drug use was pregnant. They started and began stealing to pay for talking about (COVID) lockdown, food and rent to cope with the Centrelink was overrun financial stresses of with claims, and they had some COVID-19, a court has been technical issues which caused told. them to be three weeks behind

Luke Anthony Parsons in their payments. pleaded guilty in Southport “They received notice they Magistrates Court on Thursday were going to be evicted and to enter dwelling and commit things really just started to get indictable offence by too much for him.” break, unlawful use of a motor Ms Searing said that’s when vehicle and other drug and he went back to the drugs and property offences. theft to “get money together to

The offences occurred in pay for food and to pay for February and March this year. rent” and necessary things.

The court was told he kicked She said when he was arrested in the door of a Pacific Pines he was “coming down” house on March 27 and stole a and felt “desperate”. laptop, tools and a BMW. Ms Searing said her client

He evaded police in the stolen His solicitor, Lisa Searing, had made admissions, took vehicle, which was later of Allen and Searing Criminal responsibility for his crimes, found with drugs in it. Lawyers, said Parsons had and was subject to tough jail

Parsons was charged with struggled with drug use for the conditions during the COVID breaking into several other past four years. period. properties, including Beechmont “It seems that the lead-up to Parsons was given a head State School on February what’s occurred here is that sentence of two years in jail. 9, from which he stole COVID had really just started,” He will be eligible for parole

computer.2020 iPads and a she said. on December 9.

He was linked to the crime after blood was found at the scene.

The court was told Parsons’ partner, who is pregnant with his child, was his co-offender in some of the offences.

Parsons has been in custody after being arrested in March as his parole, for a district court sentence, was suspended.

THEY RECEIVED NOTICE THEY WERE GOING TO BE EVICTED AND THINGS REALLY JUST STARTED TO GET TOO MUCH FOR HIM