Territory man Christian Charles Allaway jailed after stealing $100k worth of industrial machinery

A RURAL area man who developed bad habits involving heavy drinking and heavy machinery will spend six months behind bars.

Christian Charles Allaway, 42, just couldn’t help himself when he saw this lawnmower, and stole it. Picture: NT Police

A RURAL area dad who developed bad habits involving heavy drinking and heavy machinery will spend six months behind bars.

Christian Charles Allaway, 42, of Virginia, on Friday pleaded guilty to a string of ten property damage, trespass stealing and receiving stolen property charges in Darwin Local Court.

Police raided Allaway’s property in February and found more than $100,000 in machinery which had been stolen from four commercial properties around Darwin.

The haul included ride on mowers, all terrain vehicles, and a tractor.

Judge Greg Cavanagh said Allaway had made it to his 40s without a criminal record, had raised a family and had referees who “speak glowingly of him”.

And this tractor. PItcure: NT Police

Allaway’s lawyer, Shane McMaster, said his client’s relationship broke down about a year ago and he started hitting the bottle to cope.

Mr Cavanagh said Allaway confessed to his offending shortly after police raided his property and confronted him.

“What can be said about the thievery is it was sustained and ongoing,” Mr Cavanagh said.

“It wasn’t an opportunistic or a one-off action.”

Mr Cavanagh said Allaway had given no real reason for his offending.

He said stealing from industrial estates was common enough that Allaway’s sentence should send a message to any other would-be crooks who had plans to target such businesses.

“It’s been noticeable how it’s been occurring … much to the detriment of local businesses,” Mr Cavanagh said.

And this ATV. Picture: NT Police

“He’s ended up with a stock yard of industrial machinery and the like.”

“This is a significant and serious example of thievery and in my view … a jail sentence must be imposed, and in my view to deter him and others from this kind of large scale … and sustained thievery there must be some of this sentence to be served.”

Mr Cavanagh sentenced Allaway to two years jail, to be suspended after six months served.