CRIME SPREE: Man, 22, jailed for 93 burglaries

Frances KleinTHE face did not match the story in Gympie District Court yesterday when a mild and well-mannered young man responsible for 93 burglaries was sent to jail.

THE face did not match the story in Gympie District Court yesterday when a mild and well-mannered young man responsible for 93 burglaries was sent to jail.

But those were the facts heard when 22-year-old Peter James Buchanan appeared on five charges, which included his most recent Gympie burglary in July.

Convicted of 154 offences in the past, Buchanan has spent most of his life in jail and detention since turning 16.

Yesterday he added further convictions of burglary, stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and breach of bail to his already long list.

Buchanan was caught stealing a car from Gympie, and fuel worth $50 from two service stations - one in Gympie and one in Tin Can Bay - in May this year.

In July, he broke into a Duke St home and stole $20 worth of coins from a stubby cooler. The owner, who was home at the time, tried to apprehend him.

The incident, Buchanan's 93rd burglary, led to his arrest and imprisonment on July 13.

He has remained in Maryborough Correctional Facility since.

"He's not good at it; he continues to offend and get caught," his barrister Peter Richards told the judge.

Mr Richards outlined his client's extensive history, which included 17 attempted burglaries and nine stealing offences.

"There's not a great deal that can be said on behalf of Mr Buchanan," he said.

He explained that, with many family members in jail, the family support was non-existent for his client.

But he said the 22-year-old seemed to apply himself and get qualifications when he was in some sort of structure.

He completed his Year 12 studies while in detention, and eight months as a diesel fitter apprentice in Logan before re-offending.

"The problem is when he's released into the community," Mr Richards said.

Judge B Butler told Buchanan he needed to think long and hard about what he wanted to do.

"You need to decide whether you want to spend the rest of your life locked up in a prison, or whether you want to join the community," he said.

"I understand you have difficult family circumstances.

"(But) you look like you've got the capacity to be useful.

"You strike me as someone who's got a bit of intelligence.

"You could be out doing a job and having a family and doing all the things that normal people do."

Buchanan was sentenced to two years jail, with parole after nine months.

The judge declared the 114 days Buchanan had already served in prison.

He will be released on parole on April 12, 2016.

CONVICTIONS

• 93 counts of burglary
   
• 17 attempted burglary
   
• 11 stealing
   
• 6 unlawful use of motor vehicle
   
• 3 breach of bail
   

Also convicted of:

• assault
   
• breach of probation
   
• possessing child porn

Originally published as CRIME SPREE: Man, 22, jailed for 93 burglaries