Ice addict tried to burgle two Mornington Peninsula primary schools to support habit
He was on bail when he and a fellow felon tried to burgle two primary schools. But their inept attempts failed when alarms went off, and they were caught red-handed.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A bungling burglar who tried to steal from two schools to feed his drug addiction has been warned he’s on his last chance to stay out of jail.
Jake Anthony Rickard and a mate broke into two Mornington Peninsula primary schools on the same night, but an alarm went off and they ended up being caught red-handed.
A search of his Somerville house a week later uncovered a bag of the drug ice and a burglary kit of balaclava, gloves and tools.
The 24-year-old was on bail at the time and had failed to do corrections orders for drug and dishonesty offending.
He pleaded guilty to six charges including burglary, theft, drug possession and breach offences at Frankston Magistrates’ Court this morning.
The court heard on the evening of June 26 last year, Rickard and a criminal colleague were seen trying to jemmy open a window of a portable classroom at Somerville Primary School.
An internal alarm was triggered, so they fled.
But they were not deterred and just a short time later the pair tried the same low act at a second school.
At Bittern Primary School Rickard managed to force open a window and unbolt a TV from the wall.
But by this time police were on their tail and found them inside, where they were arrested.
On July 2 officers went to Rickard’s home and found him asleep in his bedroom.
They also found 2.5g of ice and the burglary equipment.
His defence lawyer said Rickard was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD as a child, but in his late teens had problems with prescription treatment, and turned to ice to “self-medicate”.
She said he had relapsed on the day of the burglaries, but was otherwise doing well.
She said he had already spent 14 days in custody and would benefit from counselling support, and was planning to move to Bendigo with his mother.
MORE CRIME: FORGETFUL HUNGOVER BURGLAR HANDS HIMSELF IN
BUNGLING BURGLAR COMES OFF SECOND BEST
BURGLAR STOLE MEDALS TO PAY DRUG DEBTS
Magistrate Gerard Lethbridge said Rickard should understand after already spending a fortnight behind bars that his situation was grave.
“You committed two burglaries on primary schools, on soft targets,” Mr Lethbridge said.
“The question is have you really turned the corner?
“If you continue using you are going to spend substantial periods of your 20s in jail; this is your last chance.”
Rickard was placed on an 18-month community corrections order, must do 220 hours of unpaid work and attend drug counselling.