Callum King, 38, charged with aggravated burglary, Bendigo crime spree

A Bendigo family has been left with “significant trauma” after an accused serial burglar allegedly crept into their home while their children slept inside.

Callum King allegedly broke into a Bendigo home while children slept inside.

An accused serial burglar allegedly crept into a Bendigo family’s home while children slept inside, a court has heard.

Callum King, 38, was refused bail at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with aggravated burglary.

Detective Sergeant Anthony Thomas told the court Mr King allegedly snuck into a home through a bedroom window on Monday night before leaving through the front door, alarming the family.

Police allege Mr King was caught on CCTV leaving the property making off with a laptop, cash and bank cards before buying cigarettes at Bendigo Marketplace using the stolen bank card shortly after.

Police allege Callum King burgled several Bendigo homes, stealing cash and bank cards.

The next day Mr King was arrested after allegedly trying to flee police, running through people’s property’s and jumping fences.

Sgt Thomas told the court Mr King had caused “significant trauma” to the residents after allegedly violating the “sanctity” of their home.

Legal Aid argued Mr King should be released on CISP bail to undergo drug rehabilitation.

In opposing bail, Sgt Thomas said “the risk is simply unacceptable” that Mr King, an unemployed drug addict, would reoffend to fuel his drug habit.

The court heard he had also been charged with burgling several Bendigo homes and businesses between December 2024 and June.

Sgt Thomas told the court Mr King had been on bail during his alleged crime spree, and had demonstrated an attitude of noncompliance through his behaviour towards police and corrections officers.

Callum King was refused bail.

Yesterday, the court heard King threw a tantrum as he yelled and screamed abuse at officers while demanding to be released from custody.

He also “urinated on the floor” and forced himself to vomit because his demands weren’t met, and also faked a seizure, which required paramedics to attend, to allegedly try and avoid attending court.

“He’s doing everything he can to avoid doing what needs to be done,” Sgt Thomas said.

Legal Aid argued Mr King had been withdrawing from drugs, arguing he was a vulnerable Aboriginal man who needed help with his mental health conditions.

Prosecutor Senior Constable Karl Mannes said the “community ought to be protected” from alleged repeat offenders, calling for the court to consider the trauma inflicted on innocent people by criminals breaking into their homes.

Magistrate Megan Aumair said Mr King needed “urgent help”, but acknowledged the impact on the alleged victims.

As Ms Aumair refused his bail, Mr King began to wail hysterically, demanding to be released.

However his protestations fell upon deaf ears and he was remanded in custody ahead of his next court date in August.