Timothy Fletcher pleads guilty to refusing to assist police in criminal investigation

A man’s vow of silence landed him in a world of trouble at court with an unimpressed magistrate after he refused to squeal on his mate.

Timothy Fletcher pleaded guilty to withholding information from police about who was driving his car when it was involved in a crime. GENERIC PHOTO.

A man who refused to dob on a mate who used his car to commit a crime in Eltham has bore the brunt of a magistrate’s anger for refusing to co-operate with police.

Timothy Fletcher, 30, of Montrose, pleaded guilty at the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on January 20 to failing to give police information to help solve who was responsible for the criminal damage of a car and a theft in January last year.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sally Whyte told the court a witness saw a man park Fletcher’s car outside a home in Main Rd, Eltham, on January 19.

The man got out of the car, walked up the driveway and used a hammer to smash the driver’s side window of a parked car and stole a bank card from the front console.

Police tracked the car down using its registration details, but when they interviewed Fletcher, who, the court head, has had prior run ins with the law, he refused to squeal on his mate, Leading Sen-Constable Whyte said.

Fletcher’s lawyer told the court his car was often used by his friends and he “regrets” not having been able to be more forthcoming with information to help police.

“He’s interpreted the police’s approach as him being in trouble for something rather than a request being made of him,” his lawyer said.

“Due to his previous experiences with police he’s formed the view that he wouldn’t co-operate in these circumstances.”

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But Magistrate Meagan Keogh questioned his reason for keeping silent and said because he’d held his tongue another person was getting away scot-free after having committed a crime.

“Someone has been allowed to escape the circumstances of a significant example of criminal theft and damage,” Ms Keogh said.

“Your obligation as the registered owner of the car is to provide the police with the information they’re seeking.”

Ms Keogh cancelled Fletcher’s licence and disqualified him from driving for two years.

She also imposed a one-year community corrections order and ordered he complete 60 hours of community work.