Man sinks back into crime life
Crim blames ‘old crew’ for his offences
A RECIDIVIST Townsville criminal who had been trying to mend his ways, fell into old habits of breaking into homes and stealing cars after reconnecting with his “old crew”, a court has heard.
After languishing behind bars for the majority of his adult life, Jayden Bryant O’rourke, 21, travelled to Gladstone to try and get his life back on track.
Defence lawyer Tracey Brown said a “family matter” brought O’rourke back to Townsville where he connected with his “old crew”, where they got up to their “old tricks” involving drugs, alcohol, and stealing.
Police prosecutor Mark Fenlon said O’rourke embarked on a month-long crime spree in August, breaking into or attempting to break into properties in Idalia, Mount Louisa, South Townsville, Pimlico and Townsville City.
During this time he h e l p e d steal a Holden Commodore, a H o n d a HRV and a VW Amarok, which was used as a getaway vehicle during several crimes.
O’rourke (pictured above) appeared via videolink in Townsville Magistrates Court, pleading guilty to four counts of entering a dwelling, six counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent, and three counts of unlawful uses of motor vehicles.
Mr Fenlon said O’rourke’s criminal history was an “unenviable one” and 18 months imprisonment for similar offending hadn’t been a deterrent.
Defence lawyer Tracey Brown said his “history was against him” and agreed jail was the appropriate option but argued for a sentence between two and three years because of her client’s young age and ability to rehabilitate.
She said O’rourke had only been educated to grade 6 after choosing to spend time with the wrong crowd who acted as a gateway for drugs, alcohol and stealing.
She also said O’rourke was hoping to learn how to operate heavy machinery once he was released.
Magistrate Richard Lehmann noted O’rourke’s youth, disadvantaged background, and gap in offending when he relocated to Gladstone.
But he described the offending as “very serious”, which was aggravated by his history of similar offending, and the prevalence of these crimes during a short period of time.
Magistrate Lehmann warned his life was “at a crossroads” and he was in danger of becoming institutionalised by prison. He was jailed for three years with convictions recorded. He will be eligible for parole on August 23, 2023.