Luke Harlen sentenced for theft and driving offences at Dandenong
A Dandenong crook has been given some free parental advice by a frustrated magistrate after a string of offences.
South East
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A young father who has spent the past five months behind bars has been told to “think of his kids” by a frustrated magistrate in Melbourne’s southeast.
Dandenong man Luke Harlen, 27, was given stern parental advice at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to theft and driving related charges, including reaching speeds of 150km/h in an 80km/h zone earlier this year.
Magistrate John O’Callaghan said the court was getting “sick of seeing (Harlen) and told the accused to get his life together or risk returning to jail.
“You’re starting to get to your last chance,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“You’ve got a daughter who you ought to think about. Your partner won’t stick around if you continue this nonsense.
“If you breach this, it’ll come before me and I’ll give you another seven months (jail)”.
According to court documents, Harlen stole a 2013 Mitsubishi Mirage and a pair of Oakley sunglasses from a Pakenham address in December 2022.
In January 2023 he stole a grey Toyota Kluger from Cranbourne North, before taking two bank cards from a vehicle at a Glen Waverley address a few days later which he used to purchase petrol and cigarettes.
Harlen was arrested on January 10 after a high speed chase with police from Chadstone shopping centre to Box Hill South, where he was found hiding under a house.
He was remanded in custody where he has spent 162 days.
The court heard Harlen has three children and raises another with his current partner, who supported him in court and that they plan to move to Geelong.
Upon delivering his sentence, Mr O’Callaghan told Harlen’s partner he “didn’t know how you’ve hung around him for so long”.
Harlen was sentenced 162 days’ jail time served, placed on a 12-month good behaviour and was required to complete 100 hours’ community service.
