Rockhampton court: Waverley Blair jailed for Norman Gardens home invasion

A long-term drug addict who carried out a terrifying home invasion while armed with an axe missed out watching his kids grow up due to his life of crime, a court heard.

Waverley Allan Jade Blair, 37, was jailed for Norman Gardens home invasion which took place on June 9, 2022, armed with an axe and in company with co-offender.

A long-term drug addict who carried out a home invasion armed with an axe is about to become a grandfather and missed out watching his kids grow up due to his life of crime, a court heard.

Waverley Allan Jade Blair, 37, turned up at a Norman Gardens residence on June 9, 2022, armed with an axe and in company with co-offender Eddie Hill.

The Rockhampton District Court heard on May 30 the pair, who both pleaded guilty to their offending, demanded entry to the dwelling and took turns standing over him while the other ransacked the residence, stealing a laptop, watch, silver chain, cigarettes, mobile phone, house keys, car keys and a black case containing RSL badges and pins.

Most of the items were later found at the offenders’ homes.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Keast said Blair threatened the occupant with the axe, threatening to “chop him up” if he called the police.

The pair drove off erratically in the victim’s car before crashing it nearby and fleeing on foot.

CCTV cameras at the house and fingerprint evidence linked the men to the crime.

The court heard Blair had been on parole at the time of the offending for two armed robberies and an attempted armed robbery in Maryborough while intoxicated and armed with a knife.

Defence barrister Julie Marsden said her client used ice and heroin as a teenager, struggled with drugs most of his life and was on drugs at the time of the home invasion.

Ms Marsden said Blair had a 19-year-old daughter who was pregnant and had two daughters who had died.

“He regrets he wasn’t there for his daughters growing up,” she said.

She said he wanted to stay off drugs, get a job and be there for his daughter and grandchild.

Blair pleaded guilty to one count of burglary in company, one of robbery in company and one of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He received a head sentence of 3.5 years prison to be served cumulative on the Maryborough sentence of 2.5 years prison, with 353 days presentence custody declared as time served and immediate parole eligibility.