Five year jail term for twice robbing victim

A 28-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for five years for his role in two violent home invasions of the same victim.

Jeremy William Harold Gadd and a co-accused had gone to the victim man’s home in Goondiwindi between December 11 and 16 last year.

While the co-accused knew the victim, Gadd did not, and the pair had demanded drugs and property before rummaging through the man’s possessions.

Though no drugs were found, the pair took $3000 from the man’s wallet and left, Toowoomba District Court heard.

Days later on December 17, the pair had contacted the man saying they wanted to attend his home to apologise for what they had done, Crown prosecutor Mel Wilson told the court.

However, when the victim answered the door, the pair pushed their way in and again ransacked the house, threatening the victim, “Give me all your sh** or I’ll bash you”, she said.

When the man said he had no drugs, he was bundled into a car and driven to two ATMs and forced to withdraw cash for Gadd and his co-accused.

Through his victim impact statement, the court heard the events had a significant effect on the victim and he had since left Goondiwindi as a result.

Gadd, who had spent 124 days in pre-sentence custody, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary with violence in company, and one each of robbery in company, robbery in company with violence and deprivation of liberty.

Ms Wilson said Gadd at the time was subject to a suspended sentence for another violent incident in Goondiwindi and an intensive correction order imposed by a New South Wales court.

His barrister Wes Seewald said his client had told police he was disgusted in himself and was very apologetic.

“He said he shouldn’t have gone along for the ride, as he put it,” Mr Seewald said.

His client had been affected by meth at the time of the events but since being in custody had been sober, he said.

Judge Deborah Richards declared the 124 days pre-sentence custody as time served and sentenced Gadd to five years in jail but ordered he be eligible to apply for release on parole as of August 17, 2022.