A repeat offender has avoided a jail sentence on the condition that he leaves Mandurah and relocates to Broome, after an aggravated burglary at BWS Halls Head in June.
Dillon Jessy Lee Grosser appeared in the Mandurah Magistrates Court via video link from Hakea Prison on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary, as well as a number of other offences, and had been in custody since September 20.
Police prosecutor Mick Fallows told the court Grosser was with three other males at the “locked up, unattended” shop about 11pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 when he threw a block of concrete at the window and stole more than $200 worth of alcohol.
He was heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.
- Police prosecutor Mick Fallows
The offence was captured on CCTV footage.
“The aggravated burglary reads as an opportunistic burglary,” Senior Constable Fallows said.
“He was heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.”
Read more:
Grosser has a long criminal history.
His lawyer Clare Hay told the court her client had “reached a turning point”.
“He is only 24 and has spent most of his adult life in prison,” Ms Hay said.
“He says he should know better.”
Ms Hay asked Magistrate Brian Mahon to consider a conditional suspended imprisonment term – the condition being that Grosser relocates to Broome with his mother for a “fresh start”.
It’s better for our community than sitting in prison.
- Magistrate Brian Mahon
Mr Mahon told the court Grosser was “very much at risk of becoming institutionalised”.
“He knows right from wrong, it’s just a matter of sticking to it,” he said.
“I wouldn’t object to giving Mr Grosser the chance, so long as he knows it’s his last.
“It’s better for our community than sitting in prison.”
Grosser was sentenced to seven months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.
“I’m not going to impose conditions on you, you’ve got to take responsibility for yourself,” Mr Mahon said.
“If you’re looking for trouble, you’ll find it wherever you are.
“Stay out of trouble, you’ll be right and I wish you all the best with this fresh start.”
Grosser was also fined $200 for not having authority to drive, $600 for failing to comply with a surrender notice in relation to a vehicle and $600 for driving with an illicit drug in oral fluid or blood, plus court costs of more than $500.
