Matthew Raymond Borg convicted of theft and driving offences
A man who kept a stolen swing for his disabled stepson and two AFL guernseys worth $3000 each has faced court on a string of charges.
South
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An Old Noarlunga man who kept a stolen swing for his disabled stepson has been convicted at the Christies Beach Magistrates Court.
Matthew Raymond Borg, 44, appeared in court via video link charged with the theft by retaining as well as serious criminal trespass, theft and possessing a dangerous article.
The court heard Borg had kept the $2200 stolen swing in his backyard for his then-19-year-old stepson, who has cerebral palsy.
“The theft by retaining offence was committed in the context of your stepson greatly enjoying those swings, causing others to feel uncomfortable when he uses them in a playground,” Magistrate Lynette Duncan said.
Police found the swing in the backyard after a tip off from a member of the public.
Borg was also charged with stealing two limited edition AFL guernseys worth $3000 each from a neighbour in July.
“You walked past the residence once, then returned half an hour later, entered and removed a guernsey then returned a couple of hours after that again entered and removed another guernsey,” Ms Duncan said.
“You were captured on CCTV committing the offence, you lived about four doors away and police located the guernseys at your home about four days later and they were returned to their owner.”
On searching Borg’s home, police also found a black taser.
Borg has been in custody since his July arrest.
He also faced charges of driving unlicensed, unregistered, uninsured and disposing of a defect notice.
Ms Duncan convicted Borg and ordered he serve a three month and 12 day suspended sentence, taking into account time already served.
“You have a history of dishonesty offending and as relates to all of the dishonesty matters and the driving matters they’re prevalent offences, penalties imposed need to deter not only you but other people from continually committing offences such as these,” she said.
Ms Duncan also fined him a total of $800 for the driving offences and one of the thefts.
