Oscar Conway jailed over Valentine home invasion attempt in May with group of friends
A 19-year-old was given a second chance to clean up his act after being involved in an attempted home invasion at Valentine, but that opportunity was missed, re-offending on bail before being sentenced to jail on Friday.
Newcastle
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A Newcastle man who was given a second chance by a Judge, released to work on his rehabilitation, after being involved in a “frightening” attempted home invasion with a group of friends, has now been sentenced to jail.
Oscar Billy Conway, 19, was involved in a night of unorganised crime on May 10 last year, part of a group of men who rocked up to a home in Valentine with baseball bats and a gun, in what played out to be a botched home invasion.
When the group of nine — disguised in balaclavas and hoodies — fronted the home on Berringer Rd, it went anything but smoothly as the occupants told them to “f**k off” ignoring their threats to let them in, according to police facts.
The group vowed to be back, but within half an hour their vehicles were stopped by police and all men were arrested.
The Broadmeadow teen pleaded guilty to a charge of using an offensive weapon in company, but had charges of affray and armed with intent to commit an indictable offence dismissed.
Conway appeared before Judge Penelope Wass in Newcastle District Court in May, with his solicitor citing his client had a tumultuous upbringing of drugs and alcohol, and indicated he was high on ice at the time of the offence.
He told the court of plans to move to Gunnedah to start a new life with his partner and new born baby, before Judge Wass granted him bail and delayed his sentencing for 12 months to see his prospects of rehabilitation.
But that opportunity fell on deaf ears, with the same court hearing on Friday Conway had committed a number of offences since his release including shop-lifting, choking offences, wounding with intent and dishonesty offences, again landing him behind bars.
There was also a relationship break-down and plans to move to Gunnedah were scrapped.
Judge Wass said the teen had “unfortunately missed a rare opportunity” to rehabilitate and move forward.
“I accept he has struggled trying not to reoffend and will need significant help if he can break the cycle,” she said.
“He is still very young and has a good opportunity after this latest period of incarceration to have a happy and productive life going forward.”
She sentenced Conway to 18 months jail with a non-parole period of nine months to commence from May.
That will run directly in line with his other recent sentence at Gunnedah where he was given five months non-parole, which will make him eligible for release in February next year.
His only condition on release, his parole includes drug and alcohol counselling.
“That is the biggest free pass you will get from any court,” Judge Wass said.