Dean Carruthers: Mogo man sentenced for possessing housebreaking materials

A man who had his car searched moments after he was caught urinating on a public street, claimed the bolt cutters, crowbars and other tools discovered were simply used for hunting pigs.

Dean Carruthers claimed the crowbar and bolt cutters were used to hunt pigs.

A Mogo man caught publicly urinating claimed a duffel bag spilling with housebreaking materials such as crowbars and bolt cutters hidden in his car were, in reality, just “s**t” used for hunting pigs.

The incident saw Dean Carruthers, 35, face Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, where he was sentenced on charges of behave in an offensive manner in a public place and possess housebreaking materials.

Carruthers originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, however, was found guilty following a hearing.

During his sentencing in court on Monday, it was heard Carruthers was urinating on a public nature strip in the early hours of December 5, which led to police searching his car and uncovering the multiple tools.

Documents tendered to the court reveal police searched his Toyota LandCruiser under suspicion of wrongdoing, after tailing the car onto High St, Batemans Bay, where they saw him publicly urinate.

After confronting Carruthers on the public indecency, the officer began to search the vehicle, where he found a black duffel bag filled with items.

Before opening the bag, Carruthers claimed the officer would only find “all me hunting s**t, bro”.

Dean Carruthers was convicted and fined for the offences.

The officer proceeded to uncover a crowbar, bolt cutters, chisel, pliers, screwdriver, knife, roll of duct tape and zip ties.

The officer confronted Carruthers again, noting the instruments were clearly not used for hunting.

“What do you hunt?,” the officer questioned.

“Pigs,” Carruthers replied. “I use the zip ties to hog tie the pigs.”

Carruthers was arrested under suspicion the items were used to break into buildings.

Dean Carruthers was caught urinating on a nature strip before his car was searched.

In court on Monday, Carruthers’ lawyer Matilda Bogart said the public urination was at the lower end of seriousness.

“It was the early hours of the morning and no one was around,” she said.

“He has also turned a corner and been sober for a long time. He wants to turn his life around and he is making changes to do that.”

However, Magistrate Doug Dick said given Carruthers’ history, the punishment needed to fit the crime.

“Public indecency is one thing, but having these implements in your car makes it worse,” he said.

Carruthers was convicted and fined a total of $1600.