Warwick man jailed after slashing elderly man with knife

A young Warwick man was fresh out of jail when he slashed an elderly man’s face in a botched burglary during a two-day crime spree that involved stealing cars, evading police and burglarising homes.

There are concerns a young Warwick man who went on a wild crime rampage just two days after being released from jail has become institutionalised as a result of continual stints behind bars.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is again behind bars, this time after a two-day spree in which he burglarised Warwick homes, led police on a dangerous pursuit and horrifyingly slashed an elderly man’s face with a knife.

Crown prosecutor Alex Vanenn told the Warwick District Court the then-19-year-old startled the 75-year-old Warwick man after he found the intruder in his laundry.

“The defendant demanded money and the (victim) refused and said he didn’t have any,” Mr Vanenn said.

“The defendant then moved toward the (victim) with a knife in his hand. The two ultimately got into a scuffle, during which the complainant sustained a wound to his chin and the defendant left the house.

“Shortly after, police did find the defendant driving a car and he ultimately did not pull over when lights and sirens were activated.

“He drove dangerously (by) travelling in excessive speeds, driving on the wrong side of the road, failing to stop at a stop sign and overtaking vehicles in circumstances where he shouldn’t have.”
Mr Vanenn noted the offences all occurred while the unlicensed man was on parole for leading police on a wild pursuit that saw him driving a stolen car over the Queensland border at startling speeds.

In that instance, the man was given 18 months in jail but was released on immediate parole.

He committed his latest string of crimes just two days after his release.

“Unfortunately he has amassed quite a serious and lengthy criminal history related to offences of a similar nature, albeit without violence, but it appeared inevitable he would eventually run into resistance in these burglary-type offences,” Mr Vanenn said.

“It is particularly concerning that while committing this offence he chose to arm himself with a knife (because) there is a real risk of violence being ensued breaking into people’s homes, and that is exactly what eventuated in these circumstances.

Mr Vanenn said despite his young age, the man had already racked up convictions for burglaries, break and enters, car thefts and dangerous operation of motor vehicles.

Barrister Frank Martin said his client was raised by extended family members and only completed Year 8 or 9 before “he got kicked out of school because he would turn up to school stoned or wagging it.”

“He started using, he said, the marijuana when he was 12 or 13 and then he started using methamphetamine at 16,” he said.

Mr Martin said his client, who has been in jail since June last year and celebrated his 20th birthday behind bars, now showed signs of being institutionalised.

“Since he has been in custody he has had no visitors and he says he has no plans when he gets out,” he said.

“He’s got a job as a unit worker in the kitchen and laundry. He said he likes writing and he helps...his mates write to family and loved ones and he has done four paintings whilst in custody.

“He says in jail he behaves; He’s fed, he does courses, he’s got brothers there.

“He didn’t say he enjoys it, but you can see he is becoming institutionalised.”

The 20-year-old, who appeared in court via videolink from jail, pleaded guilty to a string of charges including armed burglary, attempted robbery and wounding, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, trespass, evasion, unlicensed driving and failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Judge Dennis Lynch sentenced him to three and a half years in jail, and ordered he be eligible for parole on December 12 this year.