Tyrese James Kennedy in court for stealing, trespassing at Proserpine

An 83-year-old woman suffering ‘constant’ thefts from her home may sleep easier after an offender was brought before the court.

An 18-year-old who trespassed on a Proserpine property to steal beer in the middle of the night was shocked to learn the victim of his crimes was an elderly woman.

Tyrese James Kennedy was visibly distressed in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday, covering his face with his hands when the details of his August 7 offending were read aloud revealing the occupant of the Marathon St house he stole from was an 83-year-old woman.

The court heard a wireless security camera caught Kennedy approaching a fridge under the woman’s house about 1am, and when he noticed the camera, he picked it up and used its light to help him see inside the fridge and take two beers.

Tyrese James Kennedy pleaded guilty to stealing and trespass. Picture: Facebook

Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said the woman’s family had bought her the camera after “constant” thefts of food and alcohol from the fridge under her house over the course of a number of weeks.

Sgt Myors said Kennedy took the camera with him and later threw it in a rubbish bin, but police were still able to access the footage it had recorded.

Officers arrested Kennedy on September 2 and he admitted he “kind of remembered” going to the house after someone told him about it but did not remember stealing anything because he was heavily intoxicated at the time.

Kennedy was fined and ordered to pay his elderly victim restitution. Picture: Facebook

Defence barrister Phillip Moore said his unemployed, year-10 educated client was “very ashamed” about his actions.

“Until today, he thought the lady involved was in her 60s or 70s – he was shocked enough by that and felt bad enough,” Mr Moore said.

“When he found out today their actual age, he recoiled and I could tell he was even more upset.”

Kennedy pleaded guilty to stealing and trespass.

Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead ordered Kennedy to pay a $500 fine plus $8 restitution to the victim, telling him it was “pretty poor” behaviour he hoped would not be repeated.

No convictions were recorded.