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Robert Steadman faces court on serious larceny charge

A man who stole a $14,000 pendant from a Penrith jewellery store says he has no memory of the offence.

Robert Steadman was jailed for 12 months for stealing a $14,000 pendant from a Penrith jewellery store. Picture: Facebook
Robert Steadman was jailed for 12 months for stealing a $14,000 pendant from a Penrith jewellery store. Picture: Facebook

A man who stole a $14,000 pendant from a Penrith jewellery store has told a court he was drunk and has no recollection of the offence.

Robert Steadman, 34, of Blackett, was arrested and charged with larceny in March over the incident at Starco Jewellers in Westfield Penrith in February.

He has since pleaded guilty to the offence.

According to court documents, Steadman entered the store with an unknown female just after 3pm on February 8.

He browsed the store briefly before reaching over a computer and picking up a display case carrying an 18-carat white gold pendant with 1.83 carat diamonds valued at $14,476.

Robert Steadman was sentenced at Penrith Local Court on a charge of larceny. He stole a $14,000 pendant from a Penrith jewellery store in February.
Robert Steadman was sentenced at Penrith Local Court on a charge of larceny. He stole a $14,000 pendant from a Penrith jewellery store in February.

CCTV footage captured Steadman walking over to the unknown woman where he put the pendant in his left pocket.

He then stayed in the store for 10 minutes while making casual conversation with the owner before leaving at 3.19pm without making any attempt to pay .

The owner soon discovered the pendant was missing, and police used the store’s CCTV footage to identify Steadman.

He was arrested out the front of The Medical Practice in Blackett on March 27, but did not participate in a recorded interview as he claimed to have no memory of the offence.

Robert Steadman immediately appealed his sentence, and will go before the District Court later this year. Picture: Facebook
Robert Steadman immediately appealed his sentence, and will go before the District Court later this year. Picture: Facebook

Police also found the clothes he was wearing on the CCTV footage during a search of his home.

During his sentencing at Penrith Local Court on Thursday, Magistrate Brian van Zuylen told Steadman his offending was “extremely serious”.

“You claim to have been drunk during the offence, but the police facts don’t match that description in the court’s opinion,” he said.

Steadman’s lawyer told the court he had a troubled childhood, including being the victim of a serious crime as a child and being exposed to drugs from an early age.

The owner of Starco Jewellers noticed the pendant had been stolen shortly after Steadman left the store.
The owner of Starco Jewellers noticed the pendant had been stolen shortly after Steadman left the store.

Magistrate van Zuylen sentenced Steadman to 12 months in jail with a six-month non-parole period, but Steadman immediately appealed.

During an afternoon bail hearing, the court was told Steadman had a favourable sentencing assessment report from community corrections.

His lawyer said he could report daily to Mt Druitt police station, offer a $500 surety, and not go within 500m of Westfield Penrith.

However, Magistrate van Zuylen said the value of the stolen item led him to doubt an appeal would be successful.

“It’s a $14,000 pendant stolen from a jewellery store when he has prior convictions for dishonesty,” he said.

“This court doesn’t see reasonable prospects of a discount on sentence. Bail is refused.”

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/penrith-press/robert-steadman-faces-court-on-serious-larceny-charge/news-story/73ca684ca1c8be3a5e6a3c5f6112f74f