Dirranbandi man, 34, busted breaking into boss’ house
A Dalby court heard a Dirranbandi man received a surprise when he was alerted to people breaking into his home only to find out the break in was committed by an employee.
Police & Courts
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A Dirranbandi man arrived home to find his bedrooms in disarray after a concerned neighbour called to let him know two people had broken into his property.
Dalby Magistrates Court heard Richard Carl Cooper, 34, who was in the company of another male was spotted not only by a concerned neighbour but by CCTV exiting a yellow car and walking towards the Dirranbandi property on January 5.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Hutchins said when the victim arrived home he found the back door opened, lights in the home switched on and cupboards/drawers opened throughout the bedrooms.
“It’s not clear if they both had entered the home, but one did and they were in company of each other,” Sergeant Hutchins said.
“Nothing was actually stolen.”
The court heard that Cooper, who had a 14-page criminal history consisting of violent and drug-related offences, claimed he was trying to drop something off to a woman who lived near the house.
Defence lawyer Claire Graham said her client had said his parents live in a nearby house and he had jumped the fence to get to the property.
“He certainly gave different versions to police,” she said.
“He does live over that fence, he was able to name all the people who lived along that street.”
Magistrate Kyna Morice highlighted the man’s “foolish” behaviour.
“It was clearly opportunistic because it was your employer, and as you said you know everybody there,” she said.
“You were always going to get caught out for this and I have no doubt there will be community repercussions when you get back and you will have to rebuild their trust.”
Magistrate Morice declared the time spent in the watch house as time served.
Cooper pleaded guilty to one count of entering a dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence by break in company.
He was sentenced to six months’ jail on immediate parole.
Everybody appearing at Dalby Magistrates Court, Friday, February 21
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