Noble Park 21-year-old yawning crook Micah Graham cops 18 months’ jail for theft crime spree
A 21-year-old man smirked and replied “yeah, sweet” while yawning and shadow-boxing in his media prison cell while being jailed for a curfew-busting crime spree across Melbourne.
South East
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A couldn’t-care-less crook caught stealing cars just days after being released from jail over a wild police pursuit yawned and smirked as he was sentenced to more prison time.
Micah Graham seemed disinterested as he pleaded guilty to more than 30 theft, driving and deception-related charges during a curfew-busting crime spree.
The Noble Park 21-year-old folded his arms, pretended to shadow-box the air with his fists and repeatedly yawned as he was given another 18 months’ jail.
Graham said “yeah, sweet” when told he must do a minimum of 12 months behind bars, and smiled as he said “alright, see ya” to the magistrate as he left the prison media room.
He has already served two remand terms this year and was on two community corrections orders when he went on this latest wave of offending spanning suburbs across Melbourne.
On Thursday Dandenong Magistrates’ Court heard that since he was let out in late July he stole cars in Noble Park and Keysborough and tried to nick another one from Seddon, leaving his DNA at the scene.
He broke into cars in Prahran, Croydon and Noble Park and a scooter in Hawthorn East, taking wallets, bank cards and anything else of value.
He would then use the stolen cards at servos in Hawthorn East, Ashburton and Croydon to buy goods including energy drinks and cartons of milk.
He also tried to buy cigarettes, but was refused because he looked too young.
Most of the offending was done at night — after curfew — and while he wasn’t wearing a mask, thereby breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
He was arrested again in early August and has spent the past 50 days in custody.
During the proceedings Graham was belligerent and looked like he was not interested in his case.
He asked the magistrate “how are ya?” when she walked into the courtroom and said “yep, sweet” when told his case would be stood down until later in the day for sentencing.
His defence lawyer said Graham knew his offending was serious and that he would be spending a lengthy time in jail.
He said Graham had drug issues, specifically with GHB, and he was easily led when he mixed with the wrong crowd.
He said his client had family support, and although “he was not beyond redemption”, it would be a difficult task for him to remain crime-free in the future.
Magistrate Suzette Dootjes said his dishonesty and thefts caused distress and anxiety in the community.
“Within two weeks (of being released) you started your current spree of offending,” Ms Dootjes said.
“Your prospects of rehabilitation do have some bleakness about them.”
Graham was jailed for 18 months, with a non-parole period of 12 months.
He was fined $2000 for breaching health directions and a further $600 for drug-driving.
He was also banned from driving — although he doesn’t actually hold a licence — for 12 months to start when he is eventually released from jail.
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