Bronson Adam Weetra guilty of string of theft offences in Adelaide District Court
A drug-fuelled theft spree – in which windows were smashed with a rock by a northern suburbs repeat offender who’d just turned 18 – left a woman needing psychological help, a court has heard.
North & North East
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A young man who smashed windows with a rock and threatened violence in a “terrifying” robbery was on drugs, a court has heard.
But his lawyer has described the spree as “ham-fisted”.
Bronson Adam Weetra, 19, of Munno Para, appeared in the District Court on Monday on one aggravated count of committing theft using force, three counts of dishonestly taking property without consent and two aggravated charges of serious criminal trespass.
Weetra has previously pleaded guilty to all charges.
The court heard Weetra went on a theft spree, while heavily affected by drugs, in the early hours of October 1, 2019, ultimately stealing $550.
Prosecutor Jaqueline Fong told the court Weetra had been previously sentenced for “serious” assault offences and was earlier this year jailed for 28 days for resisting police and breaking a bail agreement.
Ms Fong said Weetra’s forceful theft was “terrifying” for one victim who had been “significantly affected” by the incident and required psychological treatment.
“He clearly set out in the early morning to steal as much cash and cigarettes as possible and when he did not get what he wanted at one location, he continued to another,” Ms Fong said.
She said Weetra chose “soft targets” and “the only appropriate penalty” was immediate jail time.
Weetra’s lawyer, Alex Rice, said his client’s offending was “serious” but any jail time should be suspended due to the absence of the weapon and small amount of cash stolen.
He said Weetra had used a rock to smash windows.
“Whilst there was a preconceived plan, it was relatively unsophisticated and ham-fisted,” Mr Rice said.
“It can be best described as an impulsive, immature and ham-fisted spree of offences.”
Weetra is entitled to a discount of up to 30 per cent off his sentence because of early guilty pleas.
He will be sentenced next month.