Convicted sex offender Robert Crilly accused of stealing thousands from Coles, Bunnings
A convicted sex offender and serial thief was almost three hours late to court to face a string of charges across Geelong.
A convicted sex offender and serial thief arrived almost three hours late to court to face a string of charges, including swiping goods worth thousands of dollars from Coles and Bunnings.
Robert Crilly, 40, originally failed to appear in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday in relation to multiple thefts, assault, drug possession and failing to report offences.
He finally arrived about 12.30pm to front allegations he stole thousands of dollars worth of goods from Coles, Bunnings and Dan Murphy’s, along with twice failing to report to police.
Crilly, who suffers from an intellectual disability and was described by his barrister as a “complicated man”, has been on the sex offenders register for 20 years.
He was found guilty of sex crimes in 2004.
When asked by Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir why he was late to court, his counsel Alex Loftgood said his client was suffering from “anxiety” about the result of the court proceedings.
The court heard on January 8 this year he stole more than $1200 worth of hardware from Bunnings in Leopold.
He returned two days later and again took off with more than $2000 worth of goods.
In November 2024, the court heard he entered a Coles in Waurn Ponds and left with a trolley full of food valued at almost $500.
In September last year, he was accused of failing to notify police of a new phone number as part of his obligations as a registered sex offender.
The court also heard that in May this year, he was found in possession of a knife, meth and GHB after he was searched by police following an altercation on Cox Rd in Corio.
Mr Loftgood asked for a three month adjournment so his client could undergo a forensic neurological psychiatric assessment.
Ms Swadesir acknowledged his challenges, before asking him directly what he thinks would happen if he took items without paying for them.
“More jail?” Crilly replied.
He then told the court he “got no money” was “skinny enough” and “I’m not going to go hungry”.
Ms Swadesir told Mr Loftgood she was satisfied his client “is aware that if he steals something, he could go to jail”.
She also noted he had a history of not being able to comply with court orders.
Crilly has pleaded guilty to the charges.
He will next appear in court on February 6.
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Originally published as Convicted sex offender Robert Crilly accused of stealing thousands from Coles, Bunnings
