Rampage leads to jail time
A YOUNG father broke into an automotive repair shop to steal a Landcruiser he had already stolen and rammed it through the gates during a month-long crime spree across North Queensland, a court has heard.
Trent Walker, 22, was jailed for two and half years in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to a string of theft charges.
The court heard Walker had been in and out of prison for a month before he went on the rampage between May 17 and June 21.
The worst of his crimes was on June 19 when he broke into the Townsville Offroad Centre where three Toyota Landcruisers had been stolen, including one that had no keys which had been in for repairs after it was previously stolen.
Police prosecutor Tim Madsen said they rammed their way out, causing “extensive damage to the entrance gates”.
During his crime spree, Walker also broke into homes, and unlawfully used vehicles including acting as a lookout for a vehicle theft in Ayr.
He was also involved in a fuel drive-off, smashing a car window to steal a handbag, refused to stop for police, and jumped through the window of a police car.
He pleaded guilty to a total of 15 charges including five counts of unlawful use of vehicle, three counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence, stealing, obstructing and evading police, possessing drugs, unlicensed driving, and using a stolen number plate.
Police prosecutor Tim Madsen tendered Walker’s “significant” six page criminal history which was filled with similar offences including six evasions of police, and time in jail for serious assault and property crimes.
He said Walker found himself in a “particularly difficult position” given his repeated breaches of parole and suspended sentences and the community’s anger about this type of offending.
Given the “persistence, nature and seriousness of the offending”, he recommended Walker be jailed for 2.5 years.
Defence lawyer Phil Rennick conceded that Walker was prison-bound, but pushed for a two-year sentence, allowing for time already served, his youth, and the danger of becoming “institutionalised”.
Mr Rennick said his client was the father of a young daughter, had been diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD growing up and was working to attain his Grade 12 certificate.
Magistrate Scott Luxton described Walker’s lawbreaking as “prolific” with “serious property offending,
offences of which are prevalent in this community”.
Noting his “shocking criminal history”, where prison sentences hadn’t been a deterrent, he said he worried about how the parole board would view Walker’s repeated disregard for release orders.
Taking into account 50 days already served in custody, the magistrate jailed him for two and a half years.
He will be eligible for parole on April 19, 2023.
Walker’s driver’s licence was also disqualified for one month.