Enrique Carriage broke into The River, Moruya and Moruya Thai

A teenager who has broken into two restaurants on the state’s south coast, on one occasion being captured on CCTV and leaving fingerprints behind, has faced his judgment day in court.

Enrique Carriage at Batemans Bay Local Court.

A teenager who attempted to rob a well-known south coast restaurant did the same to another only a month before, a court has heard.

Enrique Carriage, 19, of Moruya, faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday following a guilty plea to break and enter a dwelling with the intent to steal.

Carriage was remanded in custody in December after he broke into ‘The River’ restaurant at Moruya.

Police documents tendered to Batemans Bay Local Court reveal Carriage smashed the glass door of the business on October 27 and was caught on CCTV footage looking for something to steal, however he left empty-handed.

Fingerprinting conducted by officers the following day linked the break and enter to Carriage, who was arrested and charged.

Popular Moruya restaurant 'The River' was broken into by teenager, Enrique Carriage.

Carriage was granted NSW Supreme Court bail on May 3 to attend rehab sessions.

At Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, the court heard Carriage had committed the offence while serving a community correction order for a separate break and enter offence only a month before he stormed ‘The River’.

Police documents reveal in September 2022, Carriage broke into ‘Moruya Thai’, with the intention of stealing. However, similarly to the recent matter, he left empty-handed.

Carriage’s lawyer Matilda Bogart said he wanted to change his ways and rehab was helping him do this.

“He has been completing rehab for two weeks and it has shown his willingness to change,” she said.

Ms Bogart said the offence was nothing more than ‘compulsive’.

“I submit that a sentencing of a new community corrections order would be an appropriate punishment for this crime,” she said.

Magistrate Doug Dick agreed, noting his young age would be considered in his ruling.

“I must also consider the facts, which indicate there was a decent amount of damage during the break in,” Mr Dick said.

Carriage was convicted, resentenced to a new two year community corrections order and fined $800.