Ice addict fleeced farmers
Stolen bales of wool sold off to buy drugs
A BATESFORD man stole bales of wool worth almost $40,000 from rural properties to finance his ice addiction, a court has heard.
Daniel Harriot, 26, of Midland Highway, pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday to six charges each of burglary and theft.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Beard said that between February 22 and April 22 Harriot burgled shearing sheds on rural properties at Anakie, Avalon, Ballan, Deans Marsh and Moolap.
“During the break-ins he stole 35 bales of wool, the largest hauls being 10 bales of pure merino wool worth $22,500 from Anakie and 15 bales of Corriedale wool from Moolap valued at $15,000,” he said.
“About 11am on March 31, Harriot and a co-accused attended a property at Wingeel where they entered a shed and stole a 20-litre petrol can.
“The owner of the property was driving past when he saw Harriot sitting in the driver’s seat of a parked ute on his property.”
The co-accused ran and, as Harriot sped away in the ute, he leapt into the back.
“Harriot drove along a train line before realising it wasn’t leading anywhere,” the prosecutor said.
“He then did a U-turn and drove back but farmers (had) blocked the road with their tractors.”
Between March 23 and April 24, Harriot and his companion sold five lots of stolen wool to a broker for $12,200.
“Harriot was interviewed later at Geelong hospital where he was recovering from injuries received by unknown means,” Sgt Beard said.
“He admitted committing the offences to get money to fund his ice addiction.”
Shane Balkin, for Harriott, said his client’s downfall began when he started using ice more than two years ago. “He is now on a mental health plan and helping out on his parents’ property,” Mr Balkin said.
Magistrate John Lesser convicted Harriot and put him on a two-year community corrections order with 240 hours of unpaid community work. He was also ordered to have treatment for his addiction and pay $25,000 restitution.