Braydon Connor Johnstone and Ebony Kelly-Nelder forced to wait longer for crime-spree sentencing in Wagga District Court
A couple who went on a three-day crime spree involving multiple carjackings and leading police in a high-speed chase have to wait longer to learn their punishment.
The Wagga News
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A couple awaiting sentencing for a crime spree that involved carjackings, using weapons to threaten others, stealing petrol from service stations and leading police on a dangerous highway chase has been forced to wait longer.
Wodonga residents Braydon Connor Johnstone, 25, and Ebony Kelly-Nelder, 27, appeared in Wagga District Court for their sentencing today, but a delay in a psychological report has stalled proceedings.
Johnstone had pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and two counts each of aggravated driving in company, detaining a person to obtain advantage and robbery.
Other charges he pleaded guilty to include receiving property and police pursuit.
Kelly-Nelder pleaded guilty to three counts of dishonestly obtaining property, two counts of aggravated stealing of a car while in company and two counts of stealing a car.
She also pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, detain person in company, using a weapon to avoid arrest, police pursuit, common assault and driving recklessly.
Court documents state the crime spree happened between November 18-20, 2018, across the Riverina and Murray regions.
They had stolen two cars, including a carjacking at a Lavington shopping centre, before travelling on the Olympic Highway towards Wagga on the third day.
They cut off another car before dragging the victim out and stealing his car.
It led to a high-speed police chase on the highway where the pair drove on the wrong side and nearly caused a crash with a truck.
Police had to use road spikes and PolAir before finally arresting the duo after they failed to steal a ute at Uranquinty.
Johnstone and Kelly-Nelder also stole about 100 litres worth of petrol from Corowa and Albury stations during the three days.
Today in court, Kelly-Nelder’s defence barrister Michael King applied to adjourn his client’s sentencing because a psychological report has not been finalised.
Johnstone’s solicitor Shaun Mortimer told the court his client wanted to be sentenced today “to get it out of the way”.
Crown solicitor Alex Dixon said it was “highly desirable” to keep both matters together for consistency.
Judge Gordon Lerve said he agreed with Mr Dixon because dealing with both at different times would lead to “issues with the facts and issues with criminality”.
He said dealing with them together outweighs the prejudice against Johnstone.
“It is inevitable that both offenders will receive substantial sentences of imprisonment,” Judge Lerve said.
Both Johnstone and Kelly-Nelder are remanded in custody and scheduled to front court again on March 19.