Man jailed over terrifying home invasion in St Albans

A former Sandringham Secondary College student has been jailed after he and three other men used a baseball and gun to carry out a terrifying home invasion in St Albans.

A former Sandringham Secondary College student has been jailed over a terrifying home invasion in St Albans.

A former Sandringham Secondary College student has been jailed for his part in a terrifying armed home invasion in Melbourne’s west.

Gary Adrian Murphy, 31, was one of four men who forced their way into a St Albans home in the dead of night in January 2017, carrying a gun and baseball bat.

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The County Court heard the posse shouted “Open up, it’s the police” before kicking down the door and entering the home.

Once inside, they stole a number of items and demanded the victim, known only as NL, hand over cash.

The group then drove off, later crashing into a tree and fleeing the rest of the way on foot.

Murphy was identified from CCTV footage taken from the home’s security cameras.

And video from a 7-Eleven store less than 24 hours before the home invasion showed Murphy — dressed in the same clothes — stealing cigarettes.

Murphy was arrested five days later and a baseball bat was found in the boot of his car.

During a nine-day trial, the court heard Murphy regularly used methylamphetamine and GHB and had previously spent time in prison for dishonesty offences and recklessly causing injury.

A victim impact statement from NL told how she suffered from severe anxiety and nightmares since the invasion and no longer feels safe in her own home.

Judge Scott Johns said NL’s trauma had been “significant”.

“Armed men bursting into a home at night with malevolent intent is one of the most frightening experiences that one contemplates as a member of our community,” he said.

“NL was defenceless and terrified.”

Judge Johns said while no one was physically harmed and the items stolen were not of significant value, the offending was a “serious example” of its kind.

“The number of intruders, the nature of the weapons, and the time and mode of entry, are all features that give this offence its character,” he said.

“It is a serious example of the crime of aggravated home invasion with intent to steal.”

Judge Johns sentenced Murphy to six years and four months in jail. He must serve four years before being eligible for parole.