Magistrate slams Sanjay Mohanamoorthy’s ‘excuse’ about warrant

An Ipswich cleaner who allegedly tried to pass off another person’s ID as his own when he was arrested has been blasted by a magistrate for his “dog ate my homework’’ excuse.

The defendant allegedly provided a driver licence with another person’s name to police. Picture: Mark Stewart

An Ipswich magistrate has labelled a cleaner’s excuse when police arrested him for an outstanding warrant as “a dog ate my homework” ruse.

Sanjay Mohanamoorthy, 31, was charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, two counts of entering dwelling and committing and three counts of fraud.

The Collingwood Park man was also charged with eight other offences including one count of contravention of direction or requirement of police officers and two counts of false or misleading documents. He did not enter a plea to any of the charges.

Mr Mohanamoorthy applied for bail in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday, July 2.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Brad Dick said a woman reported to Goodna Police Station on September 27 last year claiming that she suspected there had been two break-ins at her home.

Sgt Dick said the woman suspected her jewellery had been stolen, including a 22 carat gold doll pendant, 22 carat gold necklace, a yellow gold chain box, large gold ring, gold wedding band, 22 carat gold chains and a 22 carat gold pendant.

“The victim said she checked her CCTV cameras and observed that at about 6.15pm on August 21... a male offender attended the residence,” he said.

“(He) climbed over at the side of the property prior to entering through an unlocked window.

“She observed that at 6.45pm on September 2... a male who appeared to be the same male as before entered the house using the same method of entry.

“The victim suspected it was a person she knew as Sanjay Mohanamoorthy as it appeared to be him on CCTV footage.

“The victim’s husband contacted the defendant on his mobile phone and confronted him about breaking into the house and stealing property.

“The victim stated the defendant initially denied the allegation.

“However, after a short period of time, he admitted to committing the offence and selling the jewellery to a store,” Sgt Dick told the court.

Sgt Dick said Mr Mohanamoorthy allegedly stole more than $4000.

He also said a woman alleged she had received calls and voice messages from Mr Mohanamoorthy threatening to rape her and come to her home to kill her.

These allegedly occurred over a number of weeks from the beginning of last year, he said.

He told the court hundreds of text messages were sent.

Sgt Dick said police intercepted Mr Mohanamoorthy in Springfield on June 16.

He allegedly provided a driver’s licence with another person’s name.

On June 30, he showed police an 18-plus card with yet another person’s name and provided incorrect name and date of birth, Sgt Dick told the court.

“There can be no real legitimate use of obtaining an identification that’s different to your own,” he said.

“The fact that he’s in possession and has used fake identification, which shows that he’s attempting to avoid detection.

“He provided false details to police on both occasions as he feared going to jail.”

Defence lawyer Thirushka Naidoo said his client would accept a bail condition to report daily to the Ipswich police station.

“Most recently Mr Mohanamoorthy obtained a one year lease for a property and recently married his wife, who lives in Bundaberg,’’ she said.

“She’s going to come down here to live with him.

“He speaks fluent English. I’ve no issues to understand him.

“I certainly do not make this as a defence or malicious conduct, but some interactions with police he has struggled to understand.

“I’m instructed that Mr Mohanamoorthy’s wallet got stolen and he used his cousin’s ID.”

But Magistrate Dennis Kinsella described that as “a dog ate my homework” excuse.

“What’s the old expression?” he said. “I didn’t come down in my last shower.

“He provided what can only be described as another person’s losses or a false licence.”

He refused Mr Mohanamoorthy’s bail application and adjourned his matter to July 30.

Mr Mohanamoorthy was remanded in custody and will appear in court via videolink.