Thefts include kitchen sink

“There doesn’t appear to be any drug habit ... he just seems to have fallen back into a life of crime.” DEFENCE LAWYER TIM SULLIVAN

A CORIO builder stole a sink from a home under construction during a fourmonth crime spree.

Andrew Roberts, 42, was jailed for a year when he appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday on charges including burglary, theft and failing to stop for police.

In one incident last June, Roberts forced his way into a home being built in Lara and stole a kitchen sink and other items.

Police were able to link the break-in to the man after he left behind a trace of blood inside a cabinet.

His offending ramped up in August when, in the space of 12 days, he stole an $8000 spa from a Moolap business, two cars, from Corio and Bacchus Marsh, and led police on a high-speed pursuit.

Police estimated Roberts reached 140km/h on Heales Rd, Corio, an 80km/h zone, before becoming stuck on a patch of grass on Bacchus Marsh Rd. He was a disqualified driver at the time.

After crashing, he fled on foot towards a home, with police finding the man hiding behind a cow trough.

Roberts had a flick knife, syringe and a bag of methylamphetamine.

Defence lawyer Tim Sullivan said the crimes came after a period of stability in Roberts’ life, which saw him start his own business offering bathroom renovations.

Mr Sullivan said Roberts lost the commission housing he was renting in August, which led to more offending.

“There doesn’t appear to be any drug habit ... he just seems to have fallen back into a life of crime,” he said.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan jailed Roberts for 12 months, but with time already served, he will be due for release in September.

Roberts was also disqualified from driving for a further two years.