Peter Bradley: Thief drained cash from ex’s bank to pay drug debt
An ice-addled crook used his former lover’s bank card to steal from an ATM so he could pay back his substance supplier.
South East
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A selfish stealer raided his ex-girlfriend’s account, taking every penny she had, so he could pay back a drug dealer.
Peter Raymond Bradley also stole a boat and trailer because his mate asked him to.
And the 37-year-old bricklayer abused and attacked his partner, drove without a licence in cars with no rego and got behind the wheel while high.
He pleaded guilty to theft, assault, driving and criminal damage charges at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard on June 23 this year Bradley went to an ATM in Berwick and withdrew $1000 from his former girlfriend’s account.
She later discovered the theft of the money — which was all she had — and contacted police.
When he was arrested he falsely said it was a “joint account” and had taken the cash so he could give $900 to a drug dealer, keeping the remaining $100 for himself.
In September last year Bradley and a mate cased a Patterson Lakes house, paying particular attention to a boat and trailer in the driveway.
After the homeowner had gone to work the pilfering pair came back, hooked up the vessel to their towbar and drove off.
Police found Bradley cleaning the boat in Pakenham the day after, with him saying he had taken it after he had been “asked to help a friend”.
He was also caught driving unlicensed in St Kilda, in Pakenham and in Carrum Downs.
Defence Lawyer Kelly Floris said Bradley’s relationship was co-dependent on drugs, and he had never taken ice before he met her.
She said he recognised he had issues and “acknowledges he needs help to rebuild his life”, and had moved on from the problems with his previous partner.
She said Bradley, who had already spent a total of 81 days on remand, wanted to relocate back to Western Australia so he could have a fresh start.
Magistrate Dr Michael King said he needed support for his drug issues and required assistance in changing his behaviour towards women and managing his emotions.
Bradley was remanded in custody for a community corrections order assessment, and will be sentenced at a later date.
