Seymour Johnson jailed for stealing booze from Adelaide CBD restaurant Gaucho’s

A father has been sentenced after a smash and grab at a renowned CBD restaurant.

A father who stole booze from an Argentinian restaurant in the CBD has been sentenced to more than a year in prison.

Sentencing Seymour Johnson at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, Magistrate Justin Wickens said CCTV showed the 33-year-old with two others smash the front door of pioneering CBD restaurant Gaucho’s Argentinian Eatery and leave with several bottles of alcohol.

“You were recorded walking behind the bar and taking four bottles of alcohol before leaving through the front,” he said.

Police found Johnson with a woman, who had a bottle of scotch in a backpack, not far from the restaurant shortly after the incident and were able to later identify him from the CCTV because of his clothing.

Officers arrested Johnson and two boys – a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old – after the Gouger St smash and grab last September.

Johnson, also of Ingle Farm, has been in custody since then and previously pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass and theft.

In an earlier hearing, counsel for Johnson told the court her client didn’t smash the glass himself. 

Seymour Johnson has been sentenced for serious criminal trespass and theft. Photo: Facebook

The court heard Johnson, who was born and raised in Alice Springs, lost his parents while he was in school and consequently became homeless in year 10.

“You commenced using alcohol and drugs from seven years of age and have issues with those for all of your adult life,” he said.

“I’m told you’ve been attempting to engage in alcohol counselling in the past and will again attempt to in the future.”

Mr Wickens said his son was currently in family placement and “you do want to be part of your child’s life”.

The court heard Johnson had a criminal history in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Seymour Johnson has been sentenced for serious criminal trespass and theft. Photo: Facebook

Mr Wickens said Johnson’s criminal history was “quite poor” but noted the majority concerned offences of violence, contravening orders or street-type offences.

“Notwithstanding a sentence of imprisonment is warranted for both personal and general deterrence.”

Mr Wickens sentenced Johnson to one year and three months in prison with a non-parole period of nine months, backdated to last September when he was taken into custody.

He said Johnson should be eligible for release on parole around June 1.

Originally published as Seymour Johnson jailed for stealing booze from Adelaide CBD restaurant Gaucho’s