Man who stole alcohol from Gaucho’s Argentinian Eatery in Adelaide CBD wants to pay owner back with Centrelink

A man who stole bottles of booze from one of Adelaide’s top restaurants wants to repay the owner – but first he’ll need the dole.

A man who stole alcohol during a smash and grab at a high-end city restaurant wants to compensate the owner with his Centrelink payments, a court has heard.

Seymour Johnson appeared at the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on Tuesday, where counsel for the 33-year-old asked Magistrate Justin Wickens to consider not imposing further penalty.

Johnson has been in custody since last September.

Police arrested Mr Johnson and two boys – a 13-year-old from Ottoway and an 11-year-old from Ingle Farm – after Gaucho’s Argentinian Eatery on Gouger St had its windows smashed and liquor stolen last September.

Seymour Johnson was denied bail for serious criminal trespass and theft. Photo: Facebook

The Ingle Farm man previously pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass and theft, namely bottles of alcohol.

On Tuesday, counsel for Johnson said he would like to take steps to compensate the victim of his offending.

“We’ve been having discussions (about) how he’s going to make those payments, with his Centrelink payments,” she said.

The court heard the victim paid a $500 excess and insurance covered the damage and lost property.

Counsel for Mr Johnson earlier told the court her client was not the antagoniser and he didn’t smash the glass himself, but came upon the broken window “smashed ahead of him”.

The court heard the defendant, originally from Alice Springs, started drinking and was exposed to drugs as a child.

Mr Johnson, who has a nine-year-old son, had also struggled with homelessness.

Seymour Johnson was denied bail for serious criminal trespass and theft. Photo: Facebook

Earlier, the court heard drinking was an issue for Mr Johnson and he wanted to address it.

His counsel said since going to prison, he had engaged with drug and alcohol program councillors.

“Should he remain in prison, he is exposed to negative behaviours and negative associations,” she said.

But prosecution said Mr Johnson had a substantial criminal history, arguing for a period of imprisonment “perhaps with a period of parole that will provide some rehabilitation for him to go back into the community”.

He said while the defendant could not be sentenced for past conduct “it must be factored into the leniency that the court might otherwise extend”.

Mr Johnson will be sentenced in March.

Originally published as Man who stole alcohol from Gaucho’s Argentinian Eatery in Adelaide CBD wants to pay owner back with Centrelink