Thief given probation

HE stole a handbag and car from a home before leading police on a chase, but finally surrendered after being threatened with a taser.

Kaluim Charles Hegarty, 17, was yesterday sentenced to 12 months’ probation after plead- ing guilty to six offences. The charge sheet included two counts of obstructing police, entering a dwelling to commit an indictable offence, two counts of trespassing and one count of car theft.

The court was told that about 1.30am on Monday, Hegarty removed a laundry window from a home in Grevillea St, Wulguru, and stole a handbag and the keys to a Volkswagen.

About 2.30pm, police noticed the vehicle on University Rd and saw Hegarty sitting in the driver’s seat.

Police prosecutor Acting Senior Sergeant Felicity Nalder said Hegarty pushed past police officers and ran through a residential yard and was later found hiding under a vehicle in Newton St.

He continued to run and jumped over a fence into a property on University Rd.

Again he was found by police officers and cornered in a driveway.

The court was told police told Hegarty to get on the ground but he refused and put his hands into his pants.

Police warned Hegarty he would be hit with a taser, which convinced him to comply with their demands and he lay on the ground.

Hegarty declined to be interviewed by police.

A mobile phone and a bank card stolen from the home were found by police on one of his alleged co- offenders.

Magistrate Peter Smid questioned why Hegarty was also not charged with unlicensed driving and was told the vehicle was not moving at the time he was apprehended.

Mr Smid said he was prepared to give Hegarty a probation order as punishment for the offences.

“I think you know what that means but I think I need to spell it out to you,” he said.

“That you report to a probation officer before the end of this day, by 4pm I shall say.

“That you commit no offences in the next 12 months. If you do you may be in breach.”

No conviction was recorded and Hegarty was placed under the supervision of a community correction officer for 12 months.