Ian Gilbee pleads guilty to theft and burglary

A Norlane plumber who stole from a construction site in an attempt to start in his own business has faced court.

Ian Gilbee

A Norlane plumber stole thousands of dollars worth of items from a construction site to start his own business.

Ian Gilbee, 61, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to burglary and theft.

The court heard Gilbee was at the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub construction site in Norlane and triggered an internal alarm at 12.30am on July 16.

Police prosecutor Kerrie-Ann Moroney said police arrived at the construction site and found Gilbee pushing a wheelbarrow with about $2000 worth of stolen tools.

Gilbee’s lawyer Kate Saunders said her client had a long and prolific criminal history but had remained out of trouble for the past couple of years.

She described the offending as an “ill-fitting way” to obtain tools that he needed to start his own business.

“That is something that in hindsight, he realises is extremely unacceptable,” Ms Saunders said.

Ms Saunders said since the offending her client has been able to find some stability.

The court heard since the incident, Gilbee had recommenced his plumbing business and was committed to re-establishing his life and becoming a productive member of society.

Ms Saunders told the court his criminal history and offending could be attributed to his use of opioids.

“It was incredibly poor decision making at a time when there was instability in his life,” she said.

“There has been a significant change in that period of time.”

Gilbee said he would have been branded a “menace to society” on previous occasions, but he had been working hard to change his life around.

Magistrate Franz Holzer said Gilbee was too old to be coming back before the courts.

“You can’t take things that aren’t yours”, Mr Holzer said.

Mr Holzer deferred sentencing until June 17.

Originally published as Ian Gilbee pleads guilty to theft and burglary