Blake Stannard pleads guilty to Menangle and south coast break-ins

A young man has pleaded with a magistrate to allow him to remain on bail after admitting to a crime spree that spanned five suburbs between the south coast and southwest Sydney in just two days.

Blake Stannard.

A crime spree stretching from the south coast to southwest Sydney ended in a fiery blaze after property worth more than $100,000 was stolen during multiple break-ins.

Blake Stannard, 27, fronted Moss Vale Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated break and enter in company.

Stannard admitted that he was involved in three break and enters, stole property worth tens of thousands of dollars, drove while disqualified, filled up with fuel without paying and nicked a trolley worth of groceries.

The crimes occurred across Shell Cove, Fitzroy Falls, Moss Vale, Leumeah and Menangle.

Police documents state three co-accused were charged over the matters, including Brittany Alley, who received a discount of 50 per cent for an early plea and for assisting police.

She was jailed for 24 months, with a non-parole period of 12 months.

About 12.50am on June 15, a group, including Stannard, allegedly broke into the National Parks and Wildlife Depot at Fitzroy Falls.

Stannard used a stolen key to swipe a 2020 Toyota Landcruiser Utility with NPWS stickers, valued at least $86,350, and drove it from the scene.

Blake Stannard.

Later that day, police allege Stannard and a co-accused stole a trolley of groceries worth $350 from Woolworths Shell Cove.

Then just after midnight on June 16, Stannard drove the stolen NPWS ute into the Ampol service station on Rudd Road, Leumeah and filled it with $222 of diesel before he drove off without paying.

Just a few hours later, Alley drove a stolen SUV with Stannard and an alleged co-accused to a home on Moreton Park Road, Menangle.

Stannard and the other co-accused allegedly smashed a window of the property with a rock before Stannard used power tools to try and force entry.

The 70-year-old victim was home asleep with his partner but woke due to the racket and confronted the pair.

Stannard and the other person ran away and jumped into the car before Alley drove them away from the scene.

Blake Stannard.

However, she lost control and collided with the safety guard at Moreton Park Road and Station Street.

The three ran away from the vehicle, which was engulfed by flames. Stannard and one of the alleged co-accused were arrested later that day.

After his guilty pleas, a Director of Public Prosecutions representative argued Stannard should be taken into custody as jail time was an inevitable sentence.

Stannard gave evidence about how he was working to put his life on the right track.

He told the court that he had engaged with drug rehabilitation programs, had started a course at TAFE, was working as a personal trainer, and was training to become a lifeguard to give back to the community.

“I have had to strip away … everything about my old life,” Stannard said as he got emotional.

“I’ve been clean for about four months.”

Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said he was impressed by Stannard’s efforts, but it was his duty to refuse bail.

“Mr Stannard is, at last, showing a great tenacity and willingness to get away from an appalling drug habit ... a drug habit that clearly cost the community enormously,” he said.

“Many people have suffered as a result of his inevitable criminality.”

Stannard was taken into custody and committed for sentence at Goulburn District Court on May 22.

Dishonestly obtaining financial advantage, larceny, using a vehicle displaying misleading number plates, intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging property, and two counts of driving while disqualified will also be considered on sentencing.

Six other charges were withdrawn and dismissed. The two other co-accused remain before the courts.