Ryan Annand, Jason Baldwin: Mildura burglars sentenced over $92K theft

Two men who were high on meth and felt “bulletproof” when they stole more than $90,000 worth of property in Mildura, have been sentenced in court.

Ryan Annand pleaded guilty to burgling 12 properties between May and July.

A Irymple man and a Mildura man who stole more than $90,000 worth of property while high on meth have escaped jail.

Ryan Annand, 33, and his co-accused Jason Baldwin, 23, pleaded guilty to burgling 12 properties in Merbein and Hattah between May and July 2021.

The stolen goods recovered from Annand’s Irymple property included two utes, two motorbikes, a van, a shed frame and roller doors.

Multiple power tools and an air compressor, generators, motorcycle clothing and equipment were also seized, as well as a trailer, fire extinguishers, a boat motor, car batteries, a TV and computers.

Drugs and drug paraphernalia were also recovered, including oxycodone, diazepam, GVM alleged to be cannabis, Endone and a white crystal substance alleged to be meth.

A taser, a modified .22 rifle and a safe containing an illegal gel blaster were also found.

Annand and Baldwin stole over $90,000 worth of property over a three-month period.

Baldwin’s lawyer said his client had never considered the impact of the burglaries.

He said Baldwin and Annand had made plans to commit the thefts while high on meth.

His lawyer said the drug made Baldwin “feel like he was bulletproof”.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan sentenced both men to 12 month community corrections orders on Monday.

He noted Annand had a lack of criminal history and an intellectual disability.

But Mr Coghlan said he did not accept that he was manipulated into committing the burglaries.

“Ultimately no one can hold your hand 24 hours a day. No one can keep checking on you to make sure you’re doing the right thing,” he said.