Rodney Munn sentenced over waterfront burglary, stolen goods, gun stash

A drug-addicted burglar busted with a stash of sawn-off shotguns is “lucky” to avoid jail, a judge warned him not to let down the people around him.

Rodney Munn. Picture: Facebook.

A drug-addicted burglar found with a stash of sawn-off shotguns has been given a last chance to get back on the straight and narrow.

Rodney Munn, 41, appeared in the County Court at Geelong on Tuesday to be sentenced by Judge Gerard Mullaly.

The Werribee father-of-two pleaded guilty in December to charges of burglary, theft possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms and handling stolen goods.

Munn and an unknown co-offender burgled a waterfront construction site in Geelong on October 15, 2023, making off with tools.

On November 7, Munn’s home was raided and police recovered stolen goods, largely power tools, and a stash of disassembled sawn-off shotguns.

Munn spent 73 days behind bars before he was bailed to attend a residential rehabilitation facility near Shepparton.

Since then, Munn – who the court heard was a daily user of ice – has worked hard on his rehabilitation and even secured “solid work” – factors that saved him from heading back behind bars.

In sentencing, Judge Mullaly told the court Munn had shown “very encouraging signs and developments”

He said a community-based order would be the best way to test Munn’s commitment and capacity to remain drug free.

Letters from Munn’s partner and daughter described the “change” they had seen in him following his stint in rehab.

In his own letter to the court, Munn described coming “out of the cloud of drug use”, Judge Mullaly said, “now on the right road … and committed to remaining drug and crime free”.

Judge Mullaly said the court should recognise, reward and acknowledge “genuine steps” to rehabilitation.

“The preoccupation with retribution in much of public comment in sentencing is understandable, but it focuses only on one part of what the sentencing court does,” Judge Mullaly said.

Judge Mullaly sentenced Munn to time served, and placed him on a three-year community corrections order (CCO), warning him he was on a “tight rein”.

“In my view, Mr Munn, you are lucky to have the people around you that you do. It’s a matter for you, but you shouldn’t let them down again,” Judge Mullaly said.

Munn was also fined $750 and must complete 300 hours of unpaid community work.

The court heard Munn had a long criminal history dating back to 2002, including driving, drug and dishonesty offences, and some weapons offences – although no previous firearm offences.

“This prior history, in my view, elevates your moral culpability for these crimes, which was in any event, high,” Judge Mullaly said.

Judge Mullaly did not accept Munn’s explanation that he found the guns in a compost heap in Tarneit, and said the firearm charge was serious.

“Unregulated firearms, and those altered to be sawn off shotguns, are a real concern to criminal safety and law and order generally,” he said.

But for his plea of guilty, Judge Mullaly said he would have jailed Munn for two years and four months.

Originally published as Rodney Munn sentenced over waterfront burglary, stolen goods, gun stash