County Court: Drug addict jailed for role in aggravated burglary

A judge has sentenced a drug addict to jail for his role in an aggravated burglary in Doncaster and a robbery in Bayswater North that left the victim with long-term injuries.

An ice addict was sentenced to jail at the County Court for his role in an aggravated burglary in Doncaster. Stock image

An ice addict suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks has been jailed for his role in a crime spree that traumatised victims in Doncaster and Bayswater North.

Ricky Bamford was sentenced in the County Court on May 22 to a non-parole period of two years and three months.

He pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated burglary, theft, and recklessly causing injury after a series of crimes on December 27, 2017.

Court documents state Bamford was sentenced for his role in an aggravated burglary in which he and three co-accused drove to a house in Doncaster and made off with two vehicles and other items including a wallet and an iPad.

They then drove to Bayswater North where Bamford grabbed a backpack from the cabin of a truck while the driver was unloading produce.

The victim attempted to grab the bag back, resulting in him being dragged about 10m by the car.

He’s suffered ongoing physical injuries and in a victim impact statement said he’d been unable to work.

One of the adult victims in Doncaster, who was woken by the commotion at 5.30am, was terrified the crime had taken place while his family were asleep in the house.

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CCTV footage and fingerprints led police to charge Bamford last October but he initially denied the allegations.

He was remanded in custody before a committal hearing, finally pleading guilty when the case was listed for trial.

A psychological assessment conducted for the court found no evidence the defendant’s mental health problems, including PTSD, “precipitated (his) offending”.

Judge Wendy Wilmoth accepted the early plea — although not made at the first opportunity — as evidence of remorse.

“The hope would be that having spent time in custody (you have reflected) on your choices in life,” Ms Wilmoth said.

Ms Wilmoth said it was important that Bamford, now 22, continue with drug rehabilitation started while in custody during any future parole period.