Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court: Shane Norris guilty of aggravated burglary, intentionally damaging property

A Lakes Entrance man broke into a victim’s home and stole booze from their refrigerator and rode away on his bike, only to return to load up on more alcohol.

Shane Norris faced the Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and intentionally damaging property. Picture: Jack Colantuono

A Lakes Entrance man broke into a victim’s home, stole booze from the refrigerator and rode away on a bike, only to return later on to steal more alcohol

Shane Norris, 41, faced the Bairnsdale Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, intentionally damaging property and another charge.

The court heard Norris’ victim was shopping in Lakes Entrance and received a call from him and asked whether she was home on February 3.

The victim told Norris she was not and he said, “Too bad I’m going to smash up your car”.

About 5pm that day, the victim arrived home and saw the fly screen to her front window laying on the front lawn, and received a video from Norris that showed a figure holding a Jack Daniel’s can while seated on the couch.

Upon entering her home, the victim checked the fridge and noticed a number of Bundaberg and Jack Daniels cans missing.

The victim then locked the front window and contacted Norris asking for him to return the alcohol.

The court heard Norris took the fly screen off the victim's front window, entered the home and stole alcohol from the fridge.

Just after 6pm, Norris returned and eventually kicked in the door, and stole more booze.

He was arrested the next day and taken to the Bairnsdale police station.

Defence lawyer Cate Reed told the court her client had a disadvantage growing up and his parents separated when he was 13.

Ms Reed said Norris worked on fishing boats and purchased his first home a couple of years ago.

She added Norris’ offending was “alcohol-fuelled” and the aggravated burglary was out of character.

He was also on a community correction order for prior offending.

Norris — who has served 80 days in custody — was told by Magistrate Andrew Halse that a term of imprisonment was appropriate and sentenced him to 90 days in jail.