Joshua Fahey: Coronavirus crook sentenced to a maximum six-and-a-half years for targeting family-run businesses

He targeted over a dozen businesses already struggling with the pandemic, helping himself to more than $20,000 in cash. And now, Joshua Fahey will pay for his crimes.

A man, dubbed the coronavirus crook after targeting struggling family-run businesses for cash during a crime spree across the Hunter at the start of the pandemic, has been jailed for a minimum of four years.

Joshua Shaun Raymond Fahey, 32, was the organiser of a group of offenders behind a long list of commercial burglaries over a six-week period in 2020.

The raids – mostly at night when the businesses were shut – netted Fahey and his crew over $20,000 while causing more than $7000 damage.

Joshua Fahey preyed on family-run businesses in overnight raids which netted tens of thousands of dollar in cash and caused significant damage. Credit: NSW Police

Fahey, who sometimes worked alone or with one or two other thieves, would cover his face with a bike helmet during some of the break and enters, many of which were caught on security footage.

He would also target safes and cash registers, sometimes taking significant sums of money as well as valuables like laptops, watches, jewellery and even an engraved hipflask.

The court heard Fahey was using between three and four grams of methamphetamine a day and was also feeding a gambling habit, which had seen him put $18,000 in one poker machine on one day.

A suspect in the kitchen of Table 1 Espresso at Warners Bay after entry was gained about 3.55am on March 15. 2021. Cash and chocolates were stolen. Picture: supplied

Fahey had sometimes targeted more than one business at a time and moved through Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle police districts with his burglaries.

Fahey pleaded guilty to attempted and aggravated break enter and steal charges in company, drug possession, goods in custody and numerous traffic offences including police pursuit, knowingly drive a stolen conveyance, use of a vehicle without authorised number plates, being an unlicensed driver and drive recklessly or furiously.

Fahey, wearing a bike helmet, moments after breaking into Ground Control Chippery at Warners Bay at 4.53am on March 20. Picture: supplied

The court heard he targeted the Sanctum cafe in Cooks Hill in February, while in March, hit the Home Interior and Peninsula at Nelson Bay.

The court heard the 32-year-old was also involved in attempted break-ins at Five Swayers and Darby Raj at Cooks Hill, break-and-enters at Table 1 Espresso and Ground Control Chippery at Warner’s Bay, Grill’d at Charlestown and Oporto fast-food outlet at Gateshead.

Fahey‘s biggest windfall was over $11,000 he and a co-offender stole from New Burger Co on February 10, 2020.

The court heard his co-offender got $3000 and Fahey took the rest to feed his habits. It was a specialist investigation team across four police districts that was finally able to nab Fahey for the offences.

Newcastle District Court Judge Tim Gartelmann said Fahey had shown remorse for his actions, after the petty thief said he had “f**ked up dramatically” and “shouldn’t have done it” when fronting a sentencing hearing last month.

Judge Gartelmann sentenced Fahey to an aggregated maximum of six-and-a-half years in jail with a non-parole period of four years.

The sentence was backdated and Fahey will be first eligible for release on September 24, 2024.