Angus Tegner: Muay thai fighting drug mentor stole to feed ‘demon’ habit
An Armadale thieving junkie martial arts combatant says his biggest battle isn’t in the ring — it is his own drug dependence.
South East
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A muay thai boxer and drug worker robbed houses and stole from hardware stores to pay for his “heavy” addiction, a court has heard.
Angus Tegner left this country and ended up helping treat addicts in Thailand after he was nabbed burgling a house and stealing $6000 worth of electronics and jewellery in 2016.
The now 41-year-old Armadale man also ripped off a Bunnings store, stealing an expensive wrench by concealing it in his pants.
He would then pawn the stolen gear to get quick cash to pay for his raging habit.
The fighter, whose online bio states he has been heavily involved in muay thai since 2017 and has held a number of professional bouts, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft charges at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard Tegner went to a Frankston North home in April 2016 and broke in through an unlocked window.
He stole iPads, phones and a passport and took necklaces, rings and chains from a strongbox which had belonged to the deceased mother of the homeowner.
He then hocked nearly everything for just $430 at a pawn shop so he could satisfy his craving for illicit substances.
Only one ring has been recovered.
In March 2016 he walked into Bunnings in Carrum Downs, picked up a $224 wrench and hid the tool in his pants.
He had been seen on CCTV, and when arrested in August that year he openly admitted the theft, saying he went to the store with full intentions to steal and sell for cash as he was a “heavy drug user”.
He was bailed and left the country to pursue rehabilitation in Asia before returning to Australia in late 2019.
His defence lawyer, Peter Ward, said this case was “sad and complex”.
Mr Ward said Tegner had suffered severe emotional loss and turned to drugs to deal with his grief issues which he had battled ever since.
He said he didn’t technically flee the country as he was allowed to go to Thailand for rehab, where he excelled so much he became a drug mentor at The Cabin in Chiang Mai.
He said his client had returned to face the music and “had a resolve” to combat his addiction, which he knew would be a lifelong struggle.
Mr Ward said it would be beneficial if Tegner’s sentence could be deferred so he could attend a rehab clinic in Geelong to try and treat his drug “demons”.
Magistrate Vicky Prapas said it was clear he had made efforts and had commitments to get treatment, had shown a high level of insight into his problems and had strong family support.
She said although the crimes were a while ago they were a concern because they included a burglary and the loss of a significant amount of sentimental property.
Tegner was bailed on the condition he lives with his father, who has put up a $10,000 surety, until he is admitted to the rehab clinic.
He will appear in court again for sentencing on August 23.
