Man sentenced over 1998 crimes
IN 1998 Aaron Richard Healey broke into a construction site shed and the Buderim Tip and stole more than $13,000 worth of equipment and scrap metal
On Monday the 43-year-old Allora man was sentenced over the crimes.
It took 17 years for police to catch up with the former drug user, who could not even remember having been on the Sunshine Coast in 1998.
Barrister Stephen Courtney said Healey suspected he was in the area for work.
“He was using drugs,” Mr Courtney said.
“He accepts his guilt because his fingerprints were found a the scene.
“(He) can not explain how he took all this property because he did not have a car.”
As a result of the break-in at a Maroochydore construction site shed in October 1998 a large quantity of tools worth just more than $13,000 was stolen.
In December of that year a shed at the Buderim Tip was also broken into, with aluminium, copper, brass and two water heaters stolen, estimated to be worth $756 in 2000 when charges were initially brought against Healey, before he disappeared.
A warrant was issued for his arrest in 2000, but it was not until February this year that police caught up with Healey.
Judge Douglas McGill said in the 19 years since the crimes were committed Healey had rehabilitated himself.
“There has been no further offending alleged against you,” Judge McGill said.
He said Healey had given up using illegal drugs and had made conscientious efforts to get work and improve his life recently despite injuries he suffered in the past 18 months.
He sentenced Healey to 12 months in prison suspended immediately, to hang over his head for 18 months.