Geelong man Liam Power jailed again after pharmacy break-ins

A Geelong man has landed himself behind bars again after breaking into pharmacies.

Liam Power. Source: Facebook

A GEELONG man will serve his third sentence behind bars after breaking into two pharmacies and trying to steal drugs.

Liam Power, of no fixed address, appeared before Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with the break-ins.

The 24-year-old smashed windows at a pharmacy in early October, rifling through medication and leaving with a basket full of prescription drugs.

At another point he tried and failed to break into a locked safe.

Police found him around 6.20am in Belmont drifting in and out of consciousness.

On another occasion, Power smashed a window using a loose brick and broke into a Pakington St pharmacy.

Once inside he filled paper bags with medication, but was busted by police while inside.

It’s understood witnesses saw the incident and contacted officers.

He attempted to exit the premises via the smashed window, but was told to use the main door by officers.

The court heard Power refused to place his hands behind his back when being arrested, became aggressive with officers at the station and at one point kicked a constable.

He wasn’t interviewed at the time due to his “aggressive” behaviour.

Power appeared via video link from Ravenhall Correctional Facility and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Defence lawyer Shane Balkin said his client was in an “unfortunate situation” as he’d been homeless since last being released from prison four months ago.

But he conceded the break-ins were “not the solution” to Power’s issues.

He told the court his client had suffered from drug and alcohol abuse and was dependent on prescription medication but had pleaded guilty at an early stage of proceedings.

Magistrate John Bentley sentenced Power to three months in prison over the break-ins, warning him to straighten himself out.

“You’ve got to sort yourself out,” he said.

“This is the third prison sentence you’ve had this year.”

Originally published as Geelong man Liam Power jailed again after pharmacy break-ins