“Completely selfish”: Ice addict cops spray after brazen Alexandra Hills vehicle theft and fully clothed Ormiston swim

A “sick to death” magistrate has denounced an ice addict’s wanton disregard to society during a heated hearing in southeast Queensland.

Jacob Anthony Keneally remains in jail for vehicle theft.

A MAGISTRATE incensed by creeping vehicle theft and its cost to society has condemned a defendant’s “complete selfishness” after he stole and caused thousands in damages to a vehicle.

The comments came after Jacob Anthony Keneally, 31, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and unlawful use of a vehicle when he appeared via video link at the Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

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The court heard Wynnum local Keneally had stolen a Mitsubishi Lancer from an Alexandra Hills dwelling at around 6am on February 28, while the residents were home, and caused over $4,000 in damages to it.

“I for one am absolutely sick to death of people just breaking into houses and stealing cars,” Magistrate Deborah Vasta said.

“This type of offence has really crept into our society in the last 10 years.

“And it is not explained by drugs it is explained by a complete disregard for others’ property and rights.”

Keneally had broken into the dwelling through a door left open and was found by police in Ormiston under bizarre circumstances.

A concerned resident at Medina Court reported Keneally to police after the defendant claimed he was there for a swim.

Police arrested Keneally after he walked fully clothed into a pool at a random residence.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Duncan Blackburn said the offending had occurred while the defendant had been on parole for another vehicle theft and said the man’s behaviour seemed to be driven by drugs based on a “smattering” of drug offences on his record.

Defence solicitor Bruce Johnston said the offending could be put down to “the scourge of Ice”.

“It is just one of those situations where prison will be a revolving door if he doesn’t get his act together,” Mr Johnston said.

“But since he has been to prison he has dried out and is in a better place mentally and physically.”

The court heard Keneally, who has worked as a labourer, had left school at Grade 10, had an eight-page criminal history and had been an addict since he was 22.

But Magistrate Vasta would not entertain drugs as a “convenient excuse”.

“This is just thinking it is absolutely acceptable to enter someone’s private dwelling and not only steal their car and drive it around but the reckless way that he has used that vehicle, without any care in the world because he is not the one who paid for it.

“He didn’t work hard to earn that car, so this excuse that it is drugs doesn’t wash with me.

“You’ve just gone in and helped yourself.

“It is just completely selfish and you don’t care about the damage you are doing.

“You have had nine years of the courts trying to get you off drugs.

“When will you decide you have had enough? Because I can assure you society has had enough.”

Keneally was convicted and sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment with a parole eligibility date of July 1.

However Magistrate Vasta said it was very unlikely he would be granted parole and would have to work hard to earn it.

Keneally was also ordered to pay $4,188 in restitution.