Daniel Michael Loeser jailed in District Court after pleading guilty to trespassing, flooding $500m Australian Bragg Centre
A man was found chewing an espresso pod and holding knives in each hand after causing $7m in damage to a CBD research centre, a court has heard.
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A northern suburbs man has been jailed after he was found wearing nothing but his underwear in the kitchen of a fully flooded $500m CBD research centre – chewing an espresso pod and brandishing knives in each hand.
Daniel Michael Loeser, 32, fronted the District Court in front of Judge Geraldine Davidson on Thursday after pleading guilty to serious criminal trespass and property damage when he tampered with fire hydrants inside the Australian Bragg Centre earlier this year during a drug freakout.
Judge Davidson said Loeser, of Ingle Farm, had just been released from the City Watch House following an arrest for a separate offence the night before – and was coming down from the effects of GHB when he began roaming the city streets in search of medical attention.
At 1.20am on January 5, firefighters arrived at the Bragg Centre, on North Tce, after responding to a fire alarm that Loeser had tried to set off to get the attention of a doctor – thinking he was inside the neighbouring Royal Adelaide Hospital.
“When they entered the building, they noticed extensive flooding,” Judge Davidson said. “On level 2 of the building there was heavy water flooding, causing the western fire-escape stairwell to bow. There were special tools needed to open the door – behind the door the water had been backed up to approximately a metre in height.
“You were (found) wearing nothing but your underwear and chewing on what appeared to be an espresso pod whilst holding several knives in your hands.”
Loeser was then arrested and escorted by ambulance to the RAH for a mental health assessment.
On Thursday, Judge Davidson said the risers to the fire hydrant valves on levels 8-to-15 had each been “manually opened” – causing the flooding.
The entire building suffered significant water damage – amounting to a total sum of about $2m.
Including other costs associated with getting the building rectified, the damage is now more than $7m.
Judge Davidson said Loeser was still not able to explain why he tampered with the fire hydrants – but accepted he did not “deliberately target” the Bragg Centre.
“But, by your reckless behaviour, you have caused significant damage and undoubtedly this has been distressing for many people who have had to deal with the aftermath of your behaviour,” she said.
“Your state of intoxication at the time likely resulted in a reduced understanding of your behaviour.
“There is no dispute that you were in a state where you were significantly affected by substances at the time you entered the Bragg Centre.”
Judge Davidson sentenced Loeser to three years’ jail with a non-parole period of 18 months.
The sentence was backdated to January 5 – when he was first remanded in custody.
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Originally published as Daniel Michael Loeser jailed in District Court after pleading guilty to trespassing, flooding $500m Australian Bragg Centre
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