Marc Osborne, Conner Lindsey: Ballarat men smash up home

Two Ballarat men were seeking revenge when they destroyed a Sebastopol home armed with a machete and crowbar.

Conner Lindsey was sentenced to two years and four months in jail

Two Ballarat men who smashed up a Sebastopol home armed with a machete, crowbar and flick knife have been jailed.

Marc Osborne, 38, and Golden Point resident Conner Lindsey, 23, were sentenced in County Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to one charge each of home invasion and criminal damage.

The court heard the two men ransacked a Yarrowee Street home on December 12 2020 after Lindsey was punched in the face at the Sebastopol Bowling Club.

Lindsey, a former construction worker, had been drinking at the club when the court heard he provoked the man who punched him in the face.

When Lindsey went home, where Osborne was staying at time, the pair decided to ransack the man’s home at 7.40pm.

The men used their tools and weapons to smash the house, grabbing a TV off the wall and jumping on it.

Scared neighbours disturbed by the loud noises, saw the two men destroying the home and called police.

The men were then seen fleeing the scene and when police arrived they located them waiting for a taxi out the front of a house in nearby Kyle Street.

Police found a crowbar dumped nearby, and a machete hidden in Lindsey’s shorts.

The victim told police all his belongings were broken.

Judge Michael Tinney said the men entered the premises with intent to commit a crime.

“You chose not to report the matter to police, you took alternative measures which you shouldn’t have,” he said.

“The house was entirely ransacked, with the fridge upturned and other items damaged.

“The impact is evident; this man’s home has been violated and ransacked.

“You’ve both been dealt pretty poor hands; both have had serious issues with substance abuse.”

Judge Tinney said Lindsey had a better chance of rehabilitation, while Osborne had an extensive criminal record.

Lindsey was sentenced to two years and four months in jail, while Osborne was jailed for three years and four months.