Man jailed for property thieving spree

A man has been jailed for stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of property from people who let him stay in their homes.

PROPERTY THEFTS: Timothy James Bell has been jailed for a spate of property offences, where he stole from people who let him stay in their homes.

A MAN has been jailed for stealing hundreds of dollars’ worth of property from people who let him stay in their homes.

Timothy James Bell pleaded guilty to a raft of charges, including fraud, stealing, robbery while armed and wilful damage, in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday.

Even during sentencing, the 30-year-old Coffs Harbour man railed against court facts, including the use of a hatchet and the downgrading of one of the robbery charges.

The court heard Bell stole a motorcycle, riding gear and fishing equipment from a property he was residing at in August last year.

Using a false transaction receipt, he swapped the motorcycle for a car and pawned the rest of the property for $240.

Bell ended up moving into the Morayfield property of the person he sold the motorcycle to.

He returned in September with two other men, saying he had sold the bike and demanded the key from the owners.

Crown prosecutor Ellie Jary said Bell threatened the residents with a hatchet and damaged the walls when he tried to drag the bike out.

Other items, including an Xbox console, video games, a watch and driver’s licence, were taken from the property. Some were pawned using the stolen licence.

“The offending is extremely serious, the use of violence inside the victim’s own home must have been terrifying,” Ms Jary said.

Defence lawyer Robert Glenday said his client suffered a “prejudicial” upbringing surrounded by domestic violence and turbulent foster care.

He said Bell had learning difficulties but planned to find work as a removalist and live with family in the Regents Park area when released.

“He started using cannabis at age 12 and used methylamphetamine when he was separated from his partner last year,” Mr Glenday said.

Judge Leanne Clare told Bell his theft from people who took him into their homes showed he was “prepared to steal at any opportunity”.

She sentenced Bell to four years’ jail. He will be eligible for parole on September 20.

– NewsRegional