Tyler Sedman and Shaun Butterfield plead guilty to damaging dozens of vehicles in Mount Gambier crime spree

Two young men have faced court after damaging a dozen vehicles in a rock-throwing crime spree through the streets of Mount Gambier.

The Mount Gambier Courthouse.

Two young men have faced court after damaging a dozen vehicles in a premeditated crime spree through the streets of Mount Gambier.

Tyler Sedman and Shaun Butterfield pleaded guilty in the Mount Gambier Magistrate Court on Friday to 12 counts of damage building or motor vehicle.

Overnight between January 3 and 4, 2019, Butterfield drove Sedman and a third accused who faced the Youth Court, targeted some vehicles and randomly attacked others with rocks, the court heard.

Starting near the Railway Lands where they collected rocks, the trio travelled towards the showgrounds, Harvey Norman, St Martin’s Lutheran College, Pick Ave and out to the Lady Nelson Visitor and Discovery Centre.

Jamie Coates' vehicle was damaged on the night of Tyler Sedman and Shaun Butterfield's crime spree. Picture: Jamie Coates.

A second vehicle damaged by rocks on the night of the Mount Gambier attack. Picture: Supplied

Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis described the offending as a planned crime spree that had impacted a large number of community members.

“This is not a spur of the moment, small incident,” she said.

“They collected rocks, drove around the streets and targeted some people.

“They’re only in their early 20s, they’ve started with a bang.”

Butterfield’s defence lawyer said the now 21-year-old was currently unemployed, and a CFS volunteer who was experiencing mental health issues after fighting the Adelaide Hills bushfires in 2019.

“His primary role was to drive the vehicle,” she said.

“He had not consumed alcohol or illicit substances.

“It was somewhat of a peer pressure situation but he accepts he should not have been involved.”

Sedman’s defence lawyer said the now 20-year-old was experiencing homelessness at the time of the offending and had assisted police in their investigation.

“He made a full and frank admission,” he said.

Both lawyers made submissions for the pair to receive good behaviour bonds rather than jail time.

Magistrate Panagiotidis ordered a pre-sentencing report to consider if the pair are likely to reoffend.

Sedman and Butterfield will reappear at the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court in March.