Tara Attewell: Pakenham woman bailed over alleged Beaconsfield burglary
A Pakenham woman accused of carrying out a major burglary with her boyfriend allegedly left vital clues behind during the hit — including an ugg boot print.
South East
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A Pakenham mother of three who allegedly helped her boyfriend steal cars, guns and $70,000 cash from a Beaconsfield property has been bailed.
Tara Attewell fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday following the brazen January hit which she allegedly carried out with partner Greg Johansen.
The court heard the pair allegedly made their way into the O’Neill Rd property between January 15 and 18, getting away with five guns, a Toyota Landcruiser and Volvo station wagon and “at least” $70,000 cash.
Australian Federal Police stopped an unnamed driver in the allegedly stolen Landcruiser along the Tullamarine Freeway near Essendon Fields on January 19, with officers swooping on Attewell’s Pakenham house shortly after.
Johansen allegedly made a run for the backyard while Attewell allegedly attempted to stash the five guns on a top shelf in her shed, the court heard.
The prosecution said Attewell’s children and grandmother witnessed the raid.
In an interview Attewell told police the cash, guns and other stolen items had been brought to the house by another man earlier, but an ugg boot print left at the victim’s property matched that of Attewell’s.
The prosecution said Attewell was a risk to the public as her offending was linked to drug use.
But Attewell’s lawyer said his client had remained drug-free in prison and was motivated to care for her children including two who have special needs.
“She has everything going for her if she continues in the vain that she currently is,” the defence said.
Magistrate Altman said Attewell had done “everything she could” in custody to improve herself.
“It’s going to be about how you respond to (challenges) but you’ve put in a lot of hard work,” she said.
Attewell was bailed to a Pakenham address and must stay at the property between 11pm-5am unless in the company of her grandmother.
The hearing is expected to continue in July.
