Lester Lonsdale: Moruya man sentenced after stealing from Woolworths, BWS across NSW
A serial thief described by police as a “habitual and prolific offender” has learned his fate following a years-long stealing spree across the South Coast. Find out what happened in court.
The South Coast News
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A serial thief described by police as a “habitual and prolific offender” has learned his fate following a years-long stealing spree across the South Coast that included the thefts of hundreds of dollars worth of top-shelf liquor.
According to police documents, Moruya man Lester Lonsdale has been charged 26 times in the past eight years, including for more than 20 counts of shoplifting and larceny.
The 26-year-old pleaded guilty in August to a raft of larceny and driving charges after making off with food, alcohol and other groceries from Woolworths and BWS stores in Jordan Springs, Narooma, and Moruya.
The stealing spree, which also included stores in southern NSW, began in November 2020 when Lonsdale stole top-shelf liquor including Bundaberg Rum and a Jim Beam gift pack from BSW in Jordan Springs.
In May 2022, Lonsdale was seen on CCTV stealing an $111 bottle of Hennessey VSOP from the top shelf of the Moruya Woolworths BWS store, before returning to the supermarket and taking another $400 in goods.
The following month, Lonsdale returned and stole another $900 in goods, as well as another $750 in groceries from the Woolworths store in Narooma. When confronted by police on June 2, he resisted arrest.
During sentencing at the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, Aboriginal Legal Service representative Adam Murray urged Magistrate Doug Dick not to apply a “crushing sentence” on Lonsdale.
Mr Murray told the court Lonsdale had gained insight into his offending while in custody after handing himself into police in July, with strides being made in substance abuse problems.
“Lonsdale was homeless at the time of the offending and had a drug addiction,” Mr Murray said.
“While in custody, he has made significant changes to his social behaviour.”
Magistrate Dick sentenced Lonsdale to an aggregate sentence of 18 months in jail, 12 of which will be served on parole. Lonsdale will be eligible for release in November, when he will also face $4400 in fines.
He will also be disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Holding up Lonsdale’s files to the camera, Magistrate Dick said: “This is a a big pile, your pile.
“As far as you know, that’s all your loose ends.
“So, when you’re released, have a think about your life.”
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