Addict jailed over break-in and string of charges

A RUNAWAY BAY couple were left terrified when they woke to find a strange man lurking in their kitchen.

But they were quick thinking enough to follow the man as he fled, catching him and managing to hold him in a citizens arrest until police arrived.

Scott Dennis Devine, 31, was sentenced by Magistrate Andrew Sinclair to two and half years jail for the break-in and a string of other charges.

He will not be eligible for parole until May 4 next year.

Devine pleaded guilty to 23 charges including entering a dwelling at night, attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, possessing dangerous drugs and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The court heard that about 4.50am on February 7, a Runaway Bay woman woke to find Devine standing in her kitchen. She screamed and he fled.

The woman and her partner followed Devine to the underground carpark where he was sitting in the woman’s car, a Nissan Murano, trying to start it.

She tried to remove Devine from the car and he pushed her, causing her to fall backwards. The woman’s partner then managed to grab Devine and remove him from her car.

When police arrived they also found a bag belonging to Devine, which contained methylamphetamine, Viagra and other people’s licences.

The court heard Devine on January 22 stole a carpet cleaner worth $1500 from Bunnings after hiring it using stolen identification.

In another incident in April this year, police caught Devine driving a Holden Astra which had been stolen from a Marine Parade, Southport home.

Police caught up with the vehicle on Olsen Ave before the car evaded police near Oxley Drive. Police were forced to abandon the chase due to Devine’s dangerous driving.

The police helicopter tracked Devine through Hope Island, across the Tamborine mountains, to Redbank Plains.

Defence lawyer Joe Wicking, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Devine was “extremely remorseful”.

“He recognises the seriousness of his offending and that of course has been reflected by the sentence imposed by the court,” he said.

“He acknowledged the impact that his actions have had not only on the complainants … but also his family.”

Mr Wicking said Devine was anxious to complete his sentence and work towards dealing with his drug addiction.