Thieving drug addict who stole from retirees sentenced
The 27-year-old has been convicted of 21 crimes, including burgling six homes homes, stealing five vehicles and escaping police
Gympie
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A Gympie burglar who targeted the homes of retirees to fund his drug habit was convicted of 21 crimes on Tuesday.
Daniel Anthony Colin Wakelin, 27, appeared in custody via video link, and pleaded guilty to stealing five vehicles, possessing cannabis and breaking into and stealing from six homes between December 2020 and February 2021.
He stole two trailers, one car, a motorcycle and a camper trailer.
He also pleaded guilty to driving uninsured, unlicensed and unregistered.
Gympie Magistrates Court heard he had also escaped custody at one point by running from a police vehicle on February 21.
He turned himself in some time later, the court heard.
Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell said Wakelin had returned some property to police, but a substantial number of items remained outstanding.
Defence lawyer Chris Anderson said his client committed the crimes to fund his drug habit, which began when he lost a close friend in a car accident.
“My client wanted to numb the pain, turning back to methamphetamine,” Mr Anderson said.
Magistrate Kurt Fowler said Wakelin targeted the homes of retired people, where he burgled items of value.
He was sentenced to two years and four months behind bars, and was disqualified from driving for two years.
Wakelin will only serve just under seven months, however, with a parole release date of December 1.
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Originally published as Thieving drug addict who stole from retirees sentenced
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