Moruya thief Lester Lonsdale appeals jail sentence amid ban from Woolies

A father-of-two banned from all NSW Woolworths stores for a decade after his ‘prolific and habitual’ stealing is fighting to be released from his jail sentence.

A Moruya man banned from entering Woolworths stores throughout the state for a decade after stealing more than $2000 worth of top-shelf liquor and groceries has made a bid to be released from jail.

Lester Lonsdale was sentenced in September to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a years-long stealing spree, taking goods from supermarket stores across the state’s southeast, including in Narooma, Moruya and Cranebrook.

The 26-year-old “prolific and habitual offender” has been charged 26 times in the past eight years for 60 sequences including more than 20 counts of shoplifting and larceny.

In that time, he accrued more than five years in jail sentences.

Appearing at Batemans Bay Local Court earlier this month, Lonsdale launched a court challenge to his latest conviction, which involved fines and jail time for 10 separate charges of larceny, as well as driving offences and resisting arrest.

Solicitor Matilda Bogart told the court on Monday the father-of-two’s close ties to the south coast area and his role as caregiver to his children warranted his release as the appeal was being prepared for NSW District Court.

“He could be released to reside with his mother in Cranebrook,” Ms Bogart said.

“He would travel there directly from the Goulburn Correctional Facility.”

Magistrate Doug Dick told Lonsdale, who appeared via videolink from Goulburn, he had to take into account the chances Lonsdale’s court challenge would be successful when it appeared in either Nowra or Bega court later this year.

Lester Lonsdale pleaded guilty at Batemans Bay Local Court to 10 counts of larceny. Picture: Facebook

“When it comes to having no jail sentence at all, your chances are very slim,” Mr Dick said.

“I am not satisfied you have shown reason for your release.

“But, I will make sure your appeal is done quickly and will be before the District Court soon.”

Agreed police facts state Lonsdale’s latest crime spree began in November 2020 when the unemployed man robbed the BWS store in Jordan Springs, stealing a $48 Jim Beam Gift Packs.

Over the next year, Lonsdale robbed the store twice more of top-shelf liquor.

Then, in May 2022, Lester was seen on CCTV stealing a $111 bottle of Hennessy VSOP from the top shelf of the Moruya Woolworths BWS store.

He returned the following month despite a police-imposed ban, leaving with items valued at more than $400.

On June 2, police were alerted Lester had again re-entered Woolworths Moruya before leaving without paying for two bags full of meat products.

“About 6.25pm the same day, police were patrolling the Moruya area when they observed a Silver Ford Territory at the service station on the Princes Hwy, Coila. This vehicle is similar to the one owned by Lester’s partner,” police facts state.

“Police observed the partner to be in the passenger seat, with Lester out of the vehicle and a significant quantity of meat products and grocery bags spread out around the passenger side of the vehicle.”

Police approached Lester before a hand was placed on his shoulder and he was informed he was under arrest.

Batemans Bay Local Court

“Upon hearing of the offences, Lester attempted to break the grip of police and run from the location to evade custody,” the documents state.

“Police were able to maintain their grip and wrestle him to the ground where the violent resistance continued.

“He was handcuffed and put in the rear of the caged vehicle. $900 in goods were recovered and returned to Woolworths for destruction.”

Lester admitted while in custody to the thefts, as well as subsequent driving offences.

Only a month later, though, Lester was again seen entering Woolworths in Narooma.

“Lester moved throughout the store filling a large trolley with over $500 in goods,” police documents state.

“Lester then pushed the trolley at speed through the main entry doors and out of the store.

“About 3.30pm (on July 5), the accused again entered Woolworths Narooma in the company of a female person. Lester moved throughout the store half filling a large trolley with over $250 in goods.

“Along with the female, Lester pushed the trolley at speed through the main entry doors and out of the store.”