Lochlan Tatterson: Kyneton burglar steals $17K in tools, cosmetics

A baby-faced burglar has promised to leave Central Victoria to escape a network of “drug dealers and ratbags” as soon as his prison term is over.

Lochlan Steven Tatterson, 22, appeared in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday June 8 to plead guilty to two burglaries where $17,650 of items were pinched. Picture: Facebook,

A baby-faced burglar has promised to leave Central Victoria to escape a network of “drug dealers and ratbags” as soon as his prison term is over.

Lochlan Steven Tatterson appeared in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to plead guilty to two burglaries where $17,650 of items were stolen.

The court heard the then 21-year-old Kyneton man helped his co-accused steal from a Macedon Ranges business.

Prosecutor Peter Botros said the pair were thick as thieves, saying “they were associating heavily and were constantly in each other’s company”.

Mr Botros said the pair drove to their victim’s Macedon Ranges property in a grey Holden Sedan on Sunday June 21, 2020.

Tatterson and his alleged co-accused broke into a building and caravan and started pilfering for valuables on the rural lot.

A generator, water pump, tools, a high pressure washer and a gramophone worth a total of $15,000 were taken from the Macedon Ranges property.

An off-duty police officer saw the burglars and reported them to police.

Police searched Tatterson’s property where they located his co-accused with the stolen water pump.

More of the stolen property was located on the older Kyneton man’s property.

After being released on bail the 21-year-old man turned his attention from tools to beauty products.

In February Tatterson broke into a Kyneton shed to steal $2650 of cosmetics, including 10 perfume bottles, each worth $200, five $100 jars of face cream, and a $150 hairdryer.

Tatterson’s representative, Rebecca Healy said the 22-year-old had spent 91 days in custody and was ready for “a fresh start” in Portland, 104km west of Warrnambool.

Ms Healey said he wanted to leave Kyneton and drugs behind him to live with his mother on the coast.

She said the young man started using ice and cannabis at 13, but had managed to get clean while in prison.

Ms Healey said Tatterson was dealing with the unresolved grief after his sister was killed in a car accident two years ago.

Magistrate Patrick Southey asked Tatterson if the sea change would help him leave behind the “drug dealers and ratbags” of Kyneton.

“I don’t know anyone down there, that’s why I’m moving there so I’m away from the scene,” Tatterson said.

On Tuesday June 8 Tatterson pleaded guilty to the two burglary charges, one count of theft and bail violations.

Despite being charged with the Macedon Ranges burglary Tatterson did not face charges of theft – to the confusion of Magistrate Patrick Southey, his lawyer Rebecca Healey and the prosecutor.

Mr Botras said he had “clear but contradictory instructions” and said the missing of theft charges was an oversight.

Mr Southey sentenced him to four months prison, with 91 days already served, followed by a 12-month community corrections order to focus on drug and mental health programs.

He also ordered a $500 restitution order to pay for his Kyneton victim’s insurance costs.