Debt collection has bad consequences

TWO men who broke into a North Shore warehouse to confront a businessman about an alleged debt faced court yesterday.

The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard one of the men fell 3m on to a concrete floor after he tussled with the victim on August 22.

He broke into the ware- house with Adrian Wills, 38, who believed the business owner — his former employer — owed him money and was holding some of his property.

The men took nunchucks, a spanner and Stanley knife with them to the property, the court heard.

Prosecutor Senior Constable David Vanderpol said the victim “feared for his life” when he was confronted about 5am in the quiet warehouse.

The court heard the man sustained a number of minor injuries.

Lawyer Shane Balkin said the men were trying to reclaim a debt for Wills, while the alleged co-offender faced court briefly and had his matter adjourned until later this month.

“That (the confrontation) was a recipe for trouble, and he’s found trouble,” Mr Balkin said. The lawyer sought a cor- rections order for Wills, noting he had been in jail since his arrest last month.

“He would say he’s had an absolute revelation spending the last 14 days in custody,” the lawyer said.

But Magistrate Frank Jones ruled the North Geelong man should spend more time in custody because aggravated burglary was such a serious crime.

Mr Jones sentenced him to four months in jail.