Jotham Matthew Lalor sentenced for spree across Warwick, including stealing from donation bins

A father’s spree across Warwick that included breaking into homes, stealing from donation bins and smashing up a pub came to an end after he was sentenced in court.

A man has faced court after being busted commiting a range of crimes from break and enter, smashing a pub door and raiding op shop donation bins (Photo: file)

A man experiencing troubling circumstances’ can be identified after his spree came to an end, appearing in court this week.

Jotham Matthew Lalor, 31, appeared in Warwick Magistrates Court via videolink from custody on July 8, pleading guilty to 14 charges relating to a spree across the Rose City from January 2024 “on and off” until June 2024.

During the offending period, Lalor accessed a Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and Red Shield stores, as well as several vacant homes.

Lalor also damaged property at Warwick RSL by smashing a glass door, after making threats about “smashing the place up”.

The man’s defence lawyer, Sarah Campbell, told the court Lalor had a “challenging upbringing” and had relapsed after a death in the family four or five years ago.

“He is trying to get clean (off drugs) as his partner is pregnant, and during the period he broke into St Vinnies and Salvation Army where he has taken clothes to wear as he was homeless,” Ms Campbell said.

Lalor pleaded guilty to five counts of enter premise, and two charges of obstructing a police officer, and one charge each of possessing dangerous drugs and used utensils, breaching bail, failure to appear, public nuisance, wilful damage and possessing or obtaining S4, or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons.

Magistrate Janice Crawford acknowledged the man had “issues with illicit substances” and hoped the time in custody helped him clear his head.

Lalor was sentenced to six months cumulative imprisonment, released on immediate parole.

22 days in custody was considered time served.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Jotham Matthew Lalor sentenced for spree across Warwick, including stealing from donation bins