Mildura Magistrates’ Court: William Battye pleads guilty to theft after Bendigo pool robbery

A Mildura man who stole a wallet, phone and clothing from a swimming pool change room has told a court he is trying to leave his criminal past behind.

William Battye, 31, pleaded guilty in Mildura Magistrates’ Court after stealing a man’s belongings from a Bengido swimming pool changeroom.

A man who left a swimmer without clothes after he stole from a swimming pool has told a court he moved to Mildura to “get away” from dodgy history.

William Battye, 31, pleaded guilty in Mildura Magistrates’ Court on October 16 to theft, after stealing a man’s bag and other belongings from a Bendigo swimming pool last year.

Battye stole a 64-year-old man’s bag, phone and wallet from a change room locker in the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre on Napier St in Bendigo.

He then went to a local servo, where CCTV busted him buying a 40 pack of cigarettes for $68.50 and a Jack Daniels and cola 10 pack for $46.99, using the victim’s card to pay.

The court heard Battye then caught a cab to his uncle’s home, using cash from the stolen wallet to pay for the ride and withdrawing $40 from the victim’s card.

The victim realised his belongings had been stolen when he’d finished swimming and reported the theft to police.

In court on Monday, Battye’s lawyer Hugh Middleton, said his client had been doing his best to distance himself from his previous criminal behaviour.

“He has been living with his extended family in Mildura for the last seven months in an effort to get away from his history,” Mr Middleton said.

“He’s been working as a furniture removalist.”

Magistrate Michael Coghlan said the annoyance of a stolen wallet doesn’t end when the police report has been made.

“It’s a pretty ordinary thing to steal someone’s purse or wallet, it’s not just the cards or money you’re stealing,’ he said.

“It’s their license and all the other cards the victim needs to go around and replace as well.”

Battye was ordered to pay $500 in restitution to his victim, and received a further $1000 fine with conviction.