Trevor Shaw: Man stole from Point Cook schools to fund drugs

A Melbourne west father “preyed” on a nearby school stealing thousands in musical instruments and computers to selfishly fund his drug addiction.

A Point Cook father has been blasted as “spectacularly selfish” after breaking into a high school four times in one month to fund his drug addiction.

Trevor Shaw appeared in Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, pleading guilty to three counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary.

The court heard Shaw stole more than $27,000 of electrical devices and musical instruments from Homestead Senior Secondary College in January this year.

He was arrested two days after the fourth burglary on January 28 during a search of his Point Cook home, which prosecutors say uncovered some of the missing items.

“It’s serious offending, schools are often targeted for a quick buck but the kids are the ones that lose out at the end of the day,” a police prosecutor told the court.

During the attempted burglary on January 7, police say CCTV shows Shaw in the company of a young boy, in what magistrate Mike Wardell likened to “blooding”.

“He was preying on a community facility, not once but on four occasions,” he said.

“Inducting a boy into a life of crime like some Fagin of Oliver Twist.”

Shaw’s lawyer, James Gilfillan, said since his arrest he had been working to address his issues with addiction and was “extremely remorseful”.

“It’s clear he was offending recklessly to support his drug habit,” he said.

“While it’s serious this occurred at a time he believed no one would be present.”

The matter was adjourned until November 4 for sentencing by Mr Wardell who warned Shaw he may be facing a term of imprisonment.

“The sad aspect of this offending is the school has suffered,” he said.

“They work hard and depend on community support and participation, your client has taken items from the school and deprived students for his own selfish benefit.”

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