Toowoomba man Andrew James Jackson, 19, pleads guilty to slew of burglaries and car thefts

In just over a week, a Queensland teen terrorised sleeping residents, breaking into multiple homes and fleeing with their cars in tow.

Picture: File

A Toowoomba teen has racked up dozens of charges after breaking into homes across the region, stealing a fleet of cars in the process.

Andrew James Jackson, 19, appeared via video link before Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday, pleading guilty to more than 20 burglaries and car thefts committed in roughly the span of a week.

The court heard the teenager and several co-offenders had broken into multiple homes across Toowoomba, stealing cars, cash and personal cards from unsuspecting residents over eight days in June.

“The defendant is before the court in relation to 29 offences of burglary, attempted burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle … that’s 15 completed burglaries, eight unlawful uses and six attempted burglaries,” police prosecutor Senior Constable Chris Willson said.

In one incident, a Kearney Springs resident woke to see Mr Jackson climbing through her bedroom window.

“He’s entered the homes of persons, invading their privacy while they slept,” Constable Willson said.

“It would’ve been quite alarming for the resident to wake in the middle of the night to see a random leg coming through her bedroom window.”

Mr Jackson was also linked to a historical 2022 car theft thanks to DNA left on a soft drink can discarded inside the vehicle.

He was on probation at the time of the other 28 offences.

Mr Jackson’s solicitor said the teenager had a very disadvantaged upbringing, having been placed in the care of the state from age seven until 18.

“He had a rough childhood; he was in and out of trouble from the age of 10 to the age of 18,” he said.

He also argued the teen had been subject to harsh conditions while awaiting sentence in remand.

“At times the conditions that he’s had to suffer on remand has made him feel physically sick,” his solicitor said.

“He’s been sleeping on the floor … (he instructs) he’s been on a 20-hour lockdown.”

Magistrate Kay Ryan highlighted a need for deterrence, for both Mr Jackson and the community.

“These are serious, breaking into people’s houses at night,” she said.

“This is something that has become very prevalent in Toowoomba and I think other places in Queensland.

“How frightening that would be.”

Mr Jackson was charged with unlawful use of motor vehicles, attempted enter dwelling with intent at night in company, attempted enter dwelling with intent by break at night in company, enter dwelling and commit, enter dwelling with intent by break at night in company, enter dwelling with intent by break at night in company with damage, unlawful use of motor vehicle in the night in company and unlawful use of motor vehicle used for an indictable offence in the night in company.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with 109 days of presentence custody declared time served.

He will be released on parole from October 18, having served one third of his sentence.