Accused burglar Shannon Hill presents ‘ludicrous’ explanation for DNA, fingerprints in court

An accused burglar who allegedly ransacked a Surrey Hills home — stealing $25,000 in cash, jewellery and designer clothes — home has presented a “ludicrous” defence in court.

Shannon Hill contested his burglary charges in the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Supplied.

An accused burglar who allegedly ransacked a Surrey Hills home — stealing $25,000 in cash, jewellery and designer clothes — home has presented a “ludicrous” defence in court.

Shannon Hill appeared before the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Monday to contest his burglary charges.

Mr Hill is accused of breaking into a Surrey Hills home while its residents were overseas in October 2024.

The resident’s daughter received a suspicious phone call from a man claiming to be a police officer investigating the burglary of her parents’ house.

She went to check on the house — as she had been doing each week — only to find the place completely ransacked.

Every drawer and cupboard has been rifled through and the thieves had stolen $25,000 in cash hidden in clothes as well as designer clothes, jewellery and multiple paintings.

Investigators discovered the offenders had smashed a window and jimmied a back door to gain entry to the home.

They also found two fingerprints and a cigarette butt inside a bin.

Two fingerprints were found during the police investigation. Picture: Supplied.

The court was told one of the fingerprints and DNA found on the cigarette butt were traced back to Mr Hill.

Police also allegedly traced the suspicious phone call back to Mr Hill’s phone, which also pinged on cell towers near the home at the time of the burglary.

Mr Hill contested the evidence in the police case against him and said he was on the property but did not ransack the house.

He claimed the cigarette butt — which was found inside the house — could have been taken inside by another unknown person.

Magistrate Jennifer Tregent called Mr Hill’s explanations for evidence “ludicrous”.

Mr Hill, who is remanded in custody on other criminal charges, will return to court later this year for a contested hearing.