Jakiel James Gillon sentenced for Toowoomba home invasion

As his victim hid in terror, a young man and his teenage accomplices fled a failed home invasion, igniting a dramatic police chase through town.

Toowoomba man Jakiel James Gillon, 21, has been sentenced for a botched home invasion. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A Queensland judge has echoed community concerns surrounding home invasions after a Toowoomba man was confronted in his front yard.

Toowoomba man Jakiel James Gillon, 21, pleaded guilty before Toowoomba District Court on November 20 to aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted stealing from a person and attempted burglary in company following his attack on a man in his front yard.

The court was told Gillon, who was 19 at the time of the incident, and two 15-year-old alleged co-offenders went to the man’s Rangeville address about 7.30pm on August 12, 2023.

Gillon and his accomplices snuck up on the unsuspecting resident and confronted him, demanding he hand over his keys.

The trio then chased their victim down the street, only stopping when the man, terrified he would be assaulted, sought shelter with a nearby neighbour.

Before fleeing, Gillon and the teenagers tried to enter the man’s home but failed to break the locks.

Within two minutes, their getaway car was flagged by Queensland Police’s Polair and tracked from the sky for the next 30 minutes.

Police deployed a helicopter to track Jakiel James Gillon after a failed Toowoomba home invasion. Picture: Richard Walker

The group tore down suburban streets, at one point running a red light, before a tyre deflation device thwarted their escape efforts.

Crown prosecutor Perian Cardiff advised the court Gillon was subject to a probation order at the time of the offence, recently convicted of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempted break and enter charges.

Defence barrister Tristan Carlos said his client had “experienced difficulty from the point of his birth”.

Mr Carlos said Gillon’s father died shortly after his birth and his mother struggled to look after him.

As a result, Gillon lived in many different homes growing up, moving between family members, telling his legal team he found many of the homes “very strict” and struggled without support.

Mr Carlos stressed there were no physical injuries done to the homeowner.

He said Gillon had served “a long time” awaiting sentence and would be unjustly punished if ordered to serve further probation or parole for his crimes.

“He has had a long period of time now in custody which has had a sobering effect for him,” he said.

“He is ambitious to secure himself a position of employment … be able to make something of himself.”

Judge John Allan KC agreed further imprisonment or probation would be unjust.

“This was brazen offending towards the complainant in front of his home,” Judge Allan said.

“Our community is well and truly sick of offenders approaching people in their homes or entering their homes and attempting to steal motor vehicles or other property.”

Gillon was sentenced to 288 days of imprisonment after serving the same amount in pre-sentence custody.

The sentence was declared served in full.