Adam Burston jailed for breaking in and robbing a man at Blakeview

A man with bikie links who stood at the end of his victim’s bed and held a long pole with a knife attached at their throat has been given a stern ultimatum from a judge.

A young man who committed a terrifying home invasion to steal his victim’s car has been told his offending is escalating.

A judge had some choice words for Adam Beau Burston, saying he must get off the drugs or spend the rest of his life in and out of custody.

The Adelaide District Court on Wednesday heard the victim was asleep at his Blakeview house on September 18, 2021 when Burston, 21, and his co-accused allegedly broke in.

“You opened the victim’s bedroom door. You were holding a pole, which was at least 1m long, with a kitchen knife prudently attached at the end,” Judge Liesl Kudelka said during sentencing.

Wearing a black face mask, Burston stood at end of the victim’s bed and pointed the knife at the victim’s throat.

He stole the victim’s phone and car keys in the “premeditated” crime.

Burston and his co-accused, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, allegedly drove off in the stolen Subaru.

Police found Burston in the driver’s seat of the stolen car in a driveway at Burton.

Burston, of Munno Para West, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including serious criminal trespass and theft.

The court heard Burston was convicted of arson in May, after he and others poured petrol over a car and set it alight, completely destroying it.

Burston was then jailed in the Adelaide District Court in October for drug trafficking and firearm offences.

Adam Burston was jailed in the Adelaide District Court for serious criminal trespass and theft. Picture: Instagram

“You have a significant alcohol and drug history and there’s no doubt this is what has caused you to commit some serious crimes,” Judge Kudelka said.

The court heard Burston started using methamphetamine, which became an addiction, as well as steroids.

“This apparently is influenced by your former associates relating to outlaw motorcycle clubs,” Judge Kudelka said.

Judge Kudelka said Burston’s offending appeared to be escalating.

“I wonder whether you have any empathy for that man at all,” she said.

“It is a terribly frightening experience for someone to have two intruders in their house in the dark of night and having a weapon yielded in their face.”

After adding on Burston’s previous sentences, Judge Kudelka sentenced him to seven years and 10 months, with a non-parole period of three years and 11 months.

“When you are released from prison on parole, you can make a decision as to whether you want to choose a life of crime and drugs or choose a drug-free life and not spend the rest of your life going in and out of custody,” she said.

The sentence was backdated to September 2021.