Richard Callaghan’s break and enter into Bermagui police station exposed

A man with 60 court sentences under his belt has returned for yet another punishment – this time being sent to the big house for breaking into a south coast police station in a drunken bid to steal some guns.

Richard Callaghan broke into the Bermagui Police Station.

A man who has been sentenced in the courts 60 times has returned for yet another punishment, this time being jailed after drunkenly breaking into a south coast police station in a bid to steal firearms.

Richard Callaghan, 26, faced his 61st sentence in the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, appearing before Magistrate Doug Dick after admitting to breaking into the Bermagui Police Station on the evening of September 27 to steal guns.

Documents tendered to the court state that the Flinders man – who has previously been sentenced for 18 other break and enter offences and who has damaged other NSW police stations in the past – used a beer bottle to smash the window of the small coastal police station.

Callaghan kicked the door of the unmanned station in and entered, with witnesses close by hearing him say “I am going to steal guns” before police were called to the scene.

Richard Callaghan was sentenced in the Batemans Bay Local Court.

Police heard banging inside the station when they arrived, before noticing the smashed window and the damaged front door.

Officers ordered Callaghan to “get on the ground”, waiting at the front door, as they did not know if he was armed.

However, Callaghan – despite trying – could not get a gun out of the safe, instead ripping the gun safe off the wall and leaving it by the front door. Police entered the station, arresting Callaghan.

The 26-year-old was refused bail the next day and placed into custody. He was charged with break and enter dwelling with intent, unlawful entry into inclosed lands and two counts of destroy or damage property.

Callaghan previously pleaded guilty to all charges.

In the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, Mr Dick slammed Callaghan’s latest offence as “extremely serious”.

Mr Dick also noted Callaghan’s “extremely long” record.

“You have been sentenced in the courts 60 times,” he said.

Despite this, Callaghan’s lawyer Daniel Turner said his client had alcohol issues and would seek rehabilitation upon release.

“He’s had a taste of custody now,” he said.

Mr Dick said the fact Callaghan broke into a police station and interfered with the gun safe was too serious to ignore.

“An intensive correction order is not appropriate,” he said.

“Full time custody is.”

Callaghan was sentenced to 12 months in jail, three months without parole.

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