Melbourne prisoner unleashes boiling water attack on Hallam arsonist for taking COVID-19 test
A Hallam arsonist and burglar was lucky to escape with no injuries after his prison cellmate covered him in boiling water. Here’s the selfish reason for the ruthless roommate’s attack.
South East
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A selfish cellmate covered a coughing crim in boiling water because he didn’t want him to take a coronavirus test, a court has heard.
Thomas Kalkerup’s skin was scalded by his ruthless Ravenhall roomie after agreeing to take a the test in the days after his August 1 arrest.
The attacker had previously told a coughing Kalkerup not to take the test as it would force both of them into mandatory isolation cells for two weeks.
It came after Kalkerup, 30, and his 20-year-old co-accused used a stolen Toyota Hilux to ram a door at a Hallam factory before a Holden Captiva was taken from inside during the early hours of July 23.
The Dandenong Magistrates Court heard Kalkerup then drove the ute to an address in Hallam and burned his hand as he set the car on fire.
Police found the Holden Captiva with stolen number plates parked at the Casey on Princes Motel carpark nine days later.
Kalkerup and the 20-year-old were laying on a bed in their room when three officers burst through the door and arrested them.
The father of two admitted lighting the car on fire as well as stealing plates from a Cranbourne car yard after a pair of Nikes found in the burnt out wreck were matched to those worn in CCTV footage collected from the Hallam factory.
Kalkerup’s lawyer told the court on Monday her client had fallen into a “toxic pattern” where he used drugs to self-medicate when he became distressed due to issues relating to employment, his girlfriend and troubled relationship with his father.
But she submitted Kalkerup, who was supported by his partner in court, remained motivated to undertake residential drug rehabilitation as well as labouring work when he was released.
“As soon as something slips (in his life) it’s a steep decline for him, (there’s a) reinforced belief he’s going to live (as) a disappointment, almost conforming to the belief that he’s not going to amount to anything or change,” the defence said.
“ (Kalkerup is) wanting to be at home, supporting his family.”
Kalkerup, who does not have coronavirus or serious burns, pleaded guilty to a number of charges including arson and burglary.
Magistrate Suzette Dootjes sentenced Kalkerup to two months’ jail with a 12 month community corrections order.
Kalkerup’s 41 days spent custody were reckoned as time already served.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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