Career criminal Paul Cornwall burgles Brighton house while woman in shower
A lifelong criminal who relapsed into drug abuse has burgled a Brighton house while a woman was in the shower could soon be back behind bars, leaving his baby boy without a father.
Inner South
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A drug-addled jailbird who has spent half his life locked up burgled a Brighton house while a woman was in the shower.
Paul Cornwall, who faced Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court yesterday with his partner and 12-month-old baby boy in support, had relapsed from a four-year sober spell when he stole $10,000 worth of jewellery, electronics, watches and a handbag from the woman’s bedroom.
The 45-year-old was caught because he had been seen parking his car in the victim’s driveway.
An alert construction worker next door had noticed the unfamiliar vehicle and police were called, catching the career crook around the corner.
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The court heard the female victim got out of the shower and saw her bedroom had been ransacked about 8.30am on April 30.
She noticed her expensive jewellery, phone, watches and handbag were gone, and a rear door had been busted open.
The alarmed woman ran to her neighbour, who told her he had seen a red Toyota pull into her driveway and a strange man go down the rear laneway.
Police caught Cornwall around the corner, still with his ill-gotten gains in the car.
Cornwall, who had 30 pages of priors on his rap sheet, has spent about 20 years in prison.
His defence lawyer said Cornwall had had a very traumatic upbringing which led to serious drug and substance abuse.
She said her client was someone who had suffered disadvantage but made extraordinary progress since 2015 before this “relapse” offence.
The lawyer said the part-time labourer, who now lives in Kings Park, had become involved in the drug rehab field, including becoming a group secretary of Narcotics Anonymous, over the past few years.
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Magistrate Jade Bott said Cornwall, who pleaded guilty to burglary, should have known it was not wise for someone of his background to commit a burglary.
“This is aggravated by the fact you have 30 pages of priors,” Ms Bott said.
“Yet here we are again. You knew very well committing offences would put your liberty into jeopardy.”
Ms Bott said it had only been a few months since the crime and she required more time and reports to work out whether his rehabilitation could become a success.
“It is important and critical you continue your drug treatment,” she said.
“Relapse is the biggest fear; the biggest motivator for you is who you are sat with in court.”
Cornwall’s sentence was deferred until December. He was bailed on condition he doesn’t take drugs, continued his treatment and reported to police twice weekly.