Brazen thief ignored screams of frightened residents during series of late-night Brisbane break-ins, police allege

Harsher penalty sought for Cherbourg man who allegedly ‘bashed his way into homes’ with a hammer while occupants slept.

Police will allege a Cherbourg man used a hammer to commit a series of “brazen” break-ins across Brisbane, leaving his victims screaming and traumatised.

The case of 44-year-old Keith William Murray was scheduled for sentencing at the Sandgate Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Upon reading the allegations, however, police prosecutor sergeant Henri Rantala submitted for the case to be committed to a higher court so Murray could face a harsher penalty.

Murray has been held in Woodford Correctional Centre since his arrest.

Murray, who appeared via video link from the Woodford Correctional Centre, is charged with eight counts of entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence, six counts of entering a dwelling and committing an indictable offence by breaking in, one count of entering a premesis with intent at night, and a further five attempts to break-in to a premesis.

These charges are in addition to three counts of stealing, one count of possessing tainted property and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Murray used a hammer on at least one occasion to break in.

The break-ins allegedly occurred in several suburbs across Brisbane, including Mt Gravatt, Albany Creek and Aspley between July 21 and September 10, 2020.

Defence lawyer Brendan Beavon of Russo Lawyers told the court his client intended to plead guilty to the charges.

The police prosecutor tendered two victim impact statements, one from an 82-year-old woman, and one from a young mother of two children, both of whom allegedly encountered Murray during the break-ins.

Murray appeared via video link at the Sandgate Courthouse.

Sgt Rantala told the court Murray brazenly “broke into their houses at night, bashing his way through, while the victims were at home sleeping”.

“(Murray allegedly) persisted to be there while the victims were screaming,” he said.

“Given the overall criminality of the offences, an appropriate sentence would be in excess of the three year (imprisonment) limit the magistrates court has.”

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The court heard Murray had been incarcerated for eight years on similar charges in 2008.

Magistrate Jennifer Batts agreed to commit the case to the Brisbane District Court, given the defendant’s history, age and the severity of allegations.

The case was adjourned for a registry committal on May 6.