Jason Rodney Miles pleads guilty to trespassing in Lismore City Council building

A Northern Rivers man with a history of trespassing was busted squatting in a flood damaged and “asbestos-ridden” building owned by Lismore City Council.

Serial trespasser Jason Rodney Miles was found squatting in a Lismore City Council building.

A serial Northern Rivers trespasser was busted squatting in a flood damaged and “asbestos-ridden” building owned by Lismore City Council.

Unemployed man Jason Rodney Miles, 43, faced Lismore Local Court in custody.

Miles, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty on April 19 to destroying or damaging property valued at less than $2000 and entering enclosed land and not prescribed premises without lawful excuse.

Miles told the court he was retrieving his phone when he smashed his way in.

The court heard that Miles approached the front door of the Lismore Adult Community Education centre, the old Terania Shire Council building, about 4.45pm on April 10.

Miles smashed a window and entered when he could not go through the door of the premises, which is unoccupied, boarded up and undergoing restorations, according to court documents.

Miles cut his hand while climbing in and was spotted by two Lismore business owners, who reported the break-in to police and provided a description of Miles.

Police arrived around 5.15pm and noticed Miles sitting in the Lismore Transit Centre on Molesworth St.

Officers entered the Magellan St council building and found a makeshift bed with personal items scattered about.

Police uncovered a Woolworths banning notice naming Miles as the prohibited person.

Miles told police he did not enter the building, but eventually made admissions.

Miles was found by police at Lismore Transit Centre.

He denied breaking the window, but his hands were cut and bloody, the documents state.

The council told police they had recently dealt with a person trespassing on the property.

“The front door was secured for this reason,” the council stated.

“Miles smashed the front window to gain entry when he saw the property had been resecured.”

The court heard Miles had faced court for trespass multiple times and was already on a two-year community corrections order.

Miles, who represented himself, told Magistrate Michael Dakin: “I admit I broke the window.”

“I went to lift it up but it broke,” he said.

Mr Dakin asked about the trespassing offence.

“Yeah OK, I trespassed,” Miles admitted.

Miles was squatting in the building and wanted to retrieve his phone, the court heard.

Miles smashed his way in to the building, court documents show.

He told the court he had since obtained accommodation in East Lismore.

“You’ll sleep there tonight – no more smashing windows,” Mr Dakin said.

He reminded Miles he was serving court orders, convicted him on both charges and did not penalise him further.

Mr Dakin said he could not make an order for compensation due to a lack of information at the time.