Violent St Kilda criminal’s bid to be released from jail rejected

A SERIAL criminal who broke into a St Kilda home and stole $80,000 of goods — including a luxury Mercedes — while the owner was asleep upstairs will stay in jail after his appeal was rejected.

Jason Dirbass’ victim said he had endured sleepless nights and nightmares since the break-in.

A VIOLENT criminal who broke into a St Kilda home and stole $80,000 of goods — including a luxury car — while the owner was asleep upstairs will stay locked up after his bid for freedom was rejected.

Jason Dirbass used a crowbar to jemmy open a side door at the Barkly St home about 3.24am on February 16, 2015.

Once inside he stole keys to a $50,000 Mercedes and loaded the car with computer equipment, sunglasses, golf clubs and other items, worth about $30,000 in total before driving off.

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Dirbass, 43, last year pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and theft charges and was sentenced to a minimum of two and a half years behind bars, but has now sought leave to appeal his sentence.

In a victim impact statement, Rob Harwood, who had been asleep in an upstairs bedroom during the early morning raid, said he would never again feel comfortable sleeping in his house, and had endured sleepless nights and nightmares since.

CCTV footage from cameras at the property showed Dirbass searching through cupboards and drawers, taking items to the garage and peering into bedrooms, including the one where Mr Harwood slept, while armed with the crowbar.

Police found Dirbass about a month later, sleeping in the stairwell of another St Kilda property. He had the keys to the Mercedes on him.

And his fingerprints were found on a cigarette packet on the front seat of the stolen car.

The court heard Dirbass’ 33-page rap sheet included charges for assaulting police, assault with a weapon, recklessly endangering life, and a slew of theft and burglary offences.

The court also heard Dirbass had a history of homelessness and drug use, although he insisted drugs had not been a factor in this instance.

In refusing Dirbass’ appeal Justices Emilios Kyrou and David Ashley said the sentencing judge had been “right to adopt a pessimistic view of (Dirbass’) prospects of rehabilitation”.

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