Jermaine Austral and Joshua Davis jailed over outback crime spree
FORMER fugitive Jermaine Austral has been jailed for up to five years and one of his sidekicks for up to four years over an outback crime spree committed while Austral was on the lam
Crime and Court
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FORMER fugitive Jermaine Austral has been jailed for up to five years and one of his sidekicks for up to four years over an outback crime spree committed while Austral was on the lam.
The Supreme Court heard Austral, now 22, busted out of Alice Springs jail on December 23, 2016 and a week later began a crime spree by stealing a truck from Aileron roadhouse owner Greg Dick.
Austral and sidekick Joshua Davis, now 27, were yesterday sentenced to a string of violence and property crimes.
A third co-offender, Rhys McLean, now 24, is yet to be dealt with.
The court heard the trio were at Aileron Roadhouse North of Alice Springs on the afternoon of December 30, 2016 driving off in roadhouse owner Greg Dick’s unlocked tip truck.
Nearby police chased the truck down the Highway towards Alice Springs, but abandoned the pursuit when Davis began driving on the wrong side of the road.
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The court heard that at Ryan’s Well roadside stop, Austral and McLean confronted roadtripping tourist couple Barnabus Latham and Dianne Hallways, with McLean eventually punching Mr Latham in the mouth, dislodging a tooth.
Austral pulled a 30cm knife on a third tourist who had stepped in on the altercation before stealing that man’s Holden Rodeo.
The Holden was later found dumped down a dirt track off the Stuart Hwy near Alice Springs.
The trio, and others, three days later smashed their way into the Stuart Wells roadhouse, stealing more than $9000 worth of goods and causing thousands more in damage.
Austral was arrested in Broken Hill after leading New South Wales police on a pursuit, and was extradited to the Territory on 13 January 2017, while NT Police later spotted Davis nonchalantly walking along Chung Wah tce in Palmerston with his partner and their young baby.
Both men have been behind bars since.
Justice Jenny Blokland said: “This is obviously serious offending, the whole episode is serious.”
She said the Austral’s use of a knife “must have been extremely frightening”.
At least one of the tourists has vowed never to return to the Territory.
Justice Blokland said Austral’s offending was largely linked to his ice use.
Austral has already served his one year and five month sentence for escaping lawful custody.
Austral will be eligible for parole after three years served while Davis, a “model prisoner” will be eligible for parole after two years and six months served.
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