Joshua Dawson: Shed builder sentenced over $130k antique thefts at Mt Macedon

A shed builder ransacked 20 sheds on a secluded Mt Macedon property during an almost $130,000 theft that left his victim with severe emotional trauma.

An elderly Mt Macedon woman who had almost $130,000 of antiques, tools and furniture stolen in a brazen break-in has detailed the trauma she experiences over the “gross violation”.

On a secluded rural property, surrounded by 18 acres of dense bushland, the elderly victim and her mother thought their belongings were safe – spread across 20 sheds on the property.

But she arrived on June 19, 2020, to find the home and sheds broken into, with her belongings “piled up and spread over the property”.

In a victim impact statement later given to police the woman wrote the “wanton destruction” had led her doctor to diagnose her with severe emotional trauma.

“Taking a person‘s disability scooter is tantamount to taking someone’s legs,” she said.

Police were able to identify the man responsible just four days later after scouring second-hand dealers and online marketplaces.

They found a Gumtree posting by “Joshua” which listed two antique clocks for $10,000 and $12,000 apiece.

On June 30, they raided the home of Seymour man Joshua Dawson, 31, locating the majority of the statues, tools, farm equipment, antiques, rugs, china and children’s toys stolen.

Police had to call in three two-tonne trucks to relocate it back to the Mt Macedon woman.

Dawson later told investigators he’d never seen the property, and the online advertisements “could have been anyone”.

He faced the County Court in Bendigo on Thursday after pleading guilty to theft, burglary and drug possession charges.

The court heard it was “simply unknown” how the self-employed shed installer had carried out the theft of such a large volume of goods.

His lawyer, Ian Crisp, submitted Dawson had made significant efforts to reform after the offending and had displayed “shame and regret”.

“He’s not the same person he was when the offending occurred,” he said.

Judge Nola Karapanagiotidis said she had given “close consideration” as to whether Dawson should be jailed.
“Ultimately I am persuaded you should be given the opportunity to remain in the community,” she said.

“I accept you have made positive efforts to change your life.”

Dawson was sentenced to a two-year community correction order and ordered to complete 200 hours of community work.

He was fined $200 for drug possession and will have to complete treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and his mental health issues.