Toorak gun heist: Joseph Atkinson sentenced over stolen weapons

A judge has told a burglar jailed for stealing an arsenal of high-powered guns from a Toorak home he’s “run out of chances”, with many of the stolen weapons still missing.

A shotgun similar to the weapon stolen from a Toorak home in October 2017.

A burglar jailed for stealing an arsenal of high-powered guns from a Toorak home has “run out of chances” as many of the stolen weapons remain missing.

Joseph Atkinson, was sentenced in the County Court today to a minimum of two years and one month in jail after pleading guilty to several charges including burglary, handling stolen goods and theft.

Judge Greg Lyon said Atkinson played a key role in the “systematic” burglary.

TOORAK GUN HEIST WEAPONS STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR

“(It) was nothing short of audacious,” Judge Lyon said.

“(There was a) systematic way in which the burglary was carried out.”

Atkinson and others used angle grinders to pry open a locked safe in the house on October 5, 2017, stealing nine rifles, a shotgun, ammunition and identification documents.

The location of six of the 10 weapons grabbed in the burglary remains a mystery, with their last known whereabouts being the hands of criminals.

Four of the guns were found in a gun safe in the back of a vehicle in May, 2018.

Police linked Atkinson to the burglary and the guns through DNA, mobile phone tracking and CCTV.

His DNA was found in a Holden Commodore stolen from a home in Clarinda on October 4 — the day before the Toorak burglary.

The same car was spotted outside the Toorak house moments before the victim returned to find his entire home had been ransacked.

Police were able to place Atkinson in the vicinity of Clarinda and Toorak at the time of the offences via his mobile phone.

The court heard sophisticated phone tracking also showed that Atkinson made several trips to and from the Toorak house while the burglary was committed.

The stolen Commodore was discovered on October 10, less than 300 metres from Atkinson’s father’s Fitzroy North home.

Police found a cache of stolen goods including credit cards, watches and jewellery as well as a large bag of tools and a large knife inside the car.

Atkinson — who was on ice and GHB at the time of spree — denied he knew the guns were stolen but Judge Lyon said he was “sceptical” this was true.

“Your moral culpability was high,” he said.

Atkinson has faced court nine times on several charges including family violence, violence, burglary and dishonesty.

He was jailed in 2014 for aggravated burglary, recklessly causing serious injury and theft.

The serial criminal committed more crimes not long after getting out of jail in 2015.

His lawyer argued during last month’s plea hearing that Atkinson had “actually made significant change” and he “had benefited from being in custody”.

“He has completed programs and certificates while inside,” the lawyer said.

However Judge Lyon said he “remained guarded” about Atkinson’s prospects of rehabilitation.

“Let me say this loud and clear you have run out of chances,” Judge Lyon said.

“You will need a high level of structure and assistance to stay out of jail.

“(If you don’t reform) you will be back through that door again and again.

“If you don’t stop taking drugs … then there is nothing for you but a life of jail.”

Atkinson was sentenced to three years and three months in prison with a minimum of two years and one month.

He had spent 569 days in custody at the time of sentencing.